Hot compression characteristics of TiBw/Ti6Al4V composites with novel network microstructure using processing maps

As a success to improve mechanical properties of titanium matrix composites (TMCs), in situ TiB whiskers reinforced Ti6Al4V (TiBw/Ti64) composites were fabricated by tailoring a novel network microstructure. The hot compressive deformation of the composites was preformed in the temperature range of 900–1100 °C and a strain rate range of 0.001–10 s−1. The processing maps of the composites are constructed using the compression data based on the dynamic material model (DMM). The optimal deformation regime and the instable deformation regime are established by the processing maps. The microstructure of compressed specimen can be divided into non-deformation region I, transition deformation region II, homogenous deformation region III and circum deformation region IV. Hot deformation corresponding with peak efficiency combined with TiBw reinforcement encourages dynamic recrystallization (DRX) of α phase. Additionally, the instable characteristics of the network structured TiBw/Ti64 composites can be expressed as debonding, cracking, flow localization band and thin homogenous deformation region.