High-resolution EM investigation about effect of stress on formation of ω-phase crystals in β-tttanium alloys
ω-phase particles formed in β-titanium alloys (bcc structure) act important roles to their mechanical properties such as ductility and hardness. About the ductility, fine ω-phase particles in β–titanium alloys improve the ductility, because ω-phase crystals becomes nucleation sites of α-phase and it is well known that (β+α) duplex alloys have higher ductility. In the present study, the formation sites and the formation mechanism of ω-phase crystals due to external stress and aging are investigated using the conventional and high resolution electron microscopy.A β-titanium alloy (Til5Mo5Zr) was supplied by Kobe Steel Co., and a single crystal was prepared by a zone refining method. Plates with {110} surface were cut from the crystal and were pressured hydrostatically, and stressed by rolling and tensile testing. Specimens for aging with tensile stress were also prepared from Ti20Mo polycrystals. TEM specimens from these specimens were prepared by a twin-jet electron-polishing machine. A JEM 4000EX electron microscope operated at 400k V was used for taking dark field and HREM images.