Microstructural characterization and evolution mechanism of adiabatic shear band in a near beta-Ti alloy

The adiabatic shear band (ASB) was obtained by split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) technique in the hat-shaped specimen of a near beta-Ti alloy. The microstructure and the phase transformation within the ASB were investigated by means of TEM. The results show that the elongated subgrains with the width of 0.2–0.4 μm have been observed in the shear band boundary, while the microstructure inside the ASB consists of fine equiaxed subgrains that are three orders of magnitude smaller than the grains in the matrix. The β → ω(althermal) phase transformation has been observed in the ASB, and further analysis indicates that the shear band offers thermodynamic and kinetic conditions for the ω(althermal) phase formation and the high alloying of this alloy is another essential factor for this transformation to take place. The thermo-mechanical history during the shear localization is calculated. The rotational dynamic recrystallization (RDR) mechanism is used to explain the microstructure evolution mechanism in the shear band. Kinetic calculations indicate that the recrystallized fine subgrains are formed during the deformation and do not undergo significant growth by grain boundary migration after deformation.