Effect of strain rate on the compression behavior of TiAl and TiAl–2Mn alloys fabricated by combustion synthesis and hot press consolidation

•Effect of strain rate on the compression properties of the TiAl alloys was studied.•At any strain rate, TiAl–2Mn alloy possesses higher strength and better ductility.•Work-hardening behavior of the TiAl alloys was discussed and compared in detail.

Compression tests of the TiAl and TiAl–2Mn alloys have been performed in the strain rate range from 1 × 10−5 s−1 to 1 × 10−2 s−1, and the effect of strain rate on the compression properties and work-hardening behavior of the two alloys have been investigated. Under any strain rate, the ultimate compression strength (σtrueUCS) and the fracture strain (εtruef) of the TiAl–2Mn alloy are better than those of the TiAl alloy, while the work-hardening capacity (Hc) of the TiAl–2Mn alloy is lower than that of the TiAl alloy. The yield strength (σtruey) and Hc of the two alloys are strain rate sensitive, while the σtrueUCS and εtruef are insensitive to the strain rate. With the increase in the strain rate, the σtruey increases, while the Hc decreases.