Microstructural modification and mechanical improvement of ultrafine-grained Ti alloy through electron wind force: An innovative approach

This study focuses on the effect of high-density pulsed electric current (HDPEC) on the microstructure and mechanical properties of ultrafine-grained (UFG) Ti–6Al–7Nb (mass%) alloy. After the UFG Ti alloy prepared by high-pressure torsion (HPT), the samples exhibit high tensile yield strengths of 1200 MPa with total elongation of ∼20 %. Interestingly, an unusual improved elongation of ∼33 % with a yield strength of 1100 MPa was obtained in samples processed by HPT plus HDPEC. Quantitative evaluation shows that the improved ductility is attributed to the decreasing of dislocation density. The electron wind force played an important role to promote the movement of dislocation easier with the assistance of local Joule heating during HDPEC processing. It is shown that the bimodal structure with a low dislocation density leads to the high strength and high ductility. It indicated that HDPEC give an effective method to improve the ductility in UFG alloys.