Mechanical Behavior of Titanium Based Metal Matrix Composites Reinforced with TiC or TiB Particles under Quasi-Static and High Strain-Rate Compression

The mechanical behavior of titanium alloys has been mostly studied in quasi-static conditions when the strain rate does not exceed 10 s−1, while the studies performed in dynamic settings specifically for Ti-based composites are limited. Such data are critical to prevent the “strength margin” approach, which is used to assure the part performance under dynamic conditions in the absence of relevant data. The purpose of this study was to obtain data on the mechanical behavior of Ti-based composites under dynamic condition. The Metal Matrix Composites (MMC) on the base of the alloy Ti-6Al-4V (wt.%) were made using Blended Elemental Powder Metallurgy with different amounts of reinforcing particles: 5, 10, and 20% of TiC or 5, 10% (vol.) of TiB. Composites were studied at high strain rate compression ~1–3·103·s−1 using the split Hopkinson pressure bar. Mechanical behavior was analyzed considering strain rate, phase composition, microstructure, and strain energy (SE). It is shown that for the strain rates up to 1920 s−1, the strength and SE of MMC with 5% TiC are substantially higher compared to particles free alloy. The particles TiC localize the plastic deformation at the micro level, and fracturing occurs mainly by crushing particles and their aggregates. TiB MMCs have a finer grain structure and different mechanical behavior. MMC with 5 and 10% TiB do not break down at strain rates up to almost 3000 s−1; and 10% MMC surpasses other materials in the SE at strain rates exceeding 2200 s−1. The deformation mechanism of MMCs was evaluated.