Influence of Sheet Conditions on In-Plane Strain Evolution via Ex-Situ Tensile Deformation of Ti-3Al-2.5V at Room Temperature

Localised plastic deformation evolution was examined in a near alpha Ti-3Al-2.5V alloy with indent defect and defect free surfaces using digital image correlation, an interrupted uniaxial tensile test and scanning electron microscopy. The main aim was to understand the role of the localised strain evolution at micro scale and the underlying deformation mechanisms that influence the global mechanical behaviour of the material. The microstructures captured at different stages of deformation were processed using a digital image correlation system, whose outputs were analysed through Matlab, to ascertain the localised strain evolution observed in each surface condition. This work found that the strains observed at the deformation bands along the indent defect edge, were significantly higher than those observed in the deformed β phase field. The deformation bands concentrating at the tip of the indent defect acted as a fertile site for early crack nucleation and propagation with a reduced localised fracture strain. For a defect free surface, the absence of defect zones acting as a high stress concentration site meant that strain aggregation was minimised and the α phase field was able to sufficiently accommodate the β phase deformation resulting in higher fracture strains