Experimental Correlation of Mechanical Properties of the Ti-6Al-4V Alloy at Different Length Scales

Abstract

This article focuses on a systematic study of a Ti-6Al-4V alloy in order to extensively characterize the main mechanical properties at the macro-, micro- and submicrometric length scale under different stress fields. Hardness, elastic modulus, true stress–strain curves and strain-hardening exponent are correlated with the intrinsic properties of the α- and β-phases that constitute this alloy. A systematic characterization process followed, considering the anisotropic effect on both orthogonal crystallographic directions, as well as determining the intrinsic properties for the α-phase. An analytical relationship was established between the flow stress determined under different stress fields, testing geometries and length scales, highlighting that it is possible to estimate flow stress under compression and/or tensile loading from the composite hardness value obtained by instrumented nanoindentation testing.

Keywords

• titanium alloys
• plastic anisotropy
• tension–compression asymmetry
• mechanical properties
• nanohardness
• Young’s modulus