Abstract
A high-performance titanium alloy requires a fine and homogenous microstructure. The rational deformation process parameters of the Ti-3Al-5Mo-4.5V (TC16) titanium alloy can contribute to achieving this important microstructure. Hot-compression experiments were performed at temperatures in the range 100-800 degrees C and at strain rates of 0.1 s(-1) to 10.0 s(-1). The effects of deformation temperatures and deformation rates on the mechanical behaviour and microstructure evolution were analysed and discussed. The softening mechanism of the Ti-3Al-5Mo-4.5V alloy at an elevated deformation temperature was revealed. Experimental results showed that 500 degrees C is the critical deformation temperature to distinguish the warm-deformation region of 100-400 degrees C and the hot-deformation region of 500-800 degrees C. The softening mechanism is dominated by 13-phase spheroidization in the temperature range 100-400 degrees C with a higher strain rate of 10.0 s(-1). The softening mechanism is dominated by a local temperature rise in the temperature range 500-800 degrees C with a lower strain rate of 0.1 s(-1).