Microstructure of adiabatic shear bands in Ti6Al4V

Microstructural deformation mechanisms in adiabatic shear bands in Ti6Al4V are studied using traditional TEM and selected area diffraction, and more advanced microstructural characterisation techniques such as energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, high angle annular dark field STEM and conical dark field TEM. The shear bands under investigation are induced in Ti6Al4V samples by high strain rate compression of cylindrical and hat-shaped specimens in a split Hopkinson pressure bar setup. Samples from experiments interrupted at different levels of deformation are used to study the evolution of the microstructure in and nearby the shear bands. From the early stages of adiabatic shear band formation, TEM revealed strongly elongated equiaxed grains in the shear band. These band-like grains become narrower towards the centre of the band and start to fraction even further along their elongated direction to finally result in a nano-crystalline region in the core. In fully developed shear bands, twins and a needle-like martensite morphology are observed near the shear band. - Highlights: ► CDF can resolve the nanostructure of an ASB. ► Nanometre-sized grains well below 100 nm are present in the shear band. ► Highly fractioned regions inside ASB contain both α and β phases. ► Strong deformation yields α twins and martensite morphology. ► The microstructure of the ASB in both samples is similar.