The paper reviews how a technique exploiting a novel specimen design and testing methodology can effectively yield a database of microstructural information for titanium alloys. By applying the technique, the effect of thermomechanical processing (TMP) parameters on microstructural development is elucidated. Double truncated cone specimens are isothermal compressed at industrially comparable strain rates and sub-beta transus temperatures to obtain microstructural information for a range of strains within a single test specimen. Rheological behaviour is fitted using a recently developed constitutive approach that incorporates an internal microstructural variable (lambda). A finite element modelling package is used to generate both strain and lambda profiles which complement the equivalent microstructural profile of the test specimen, providing a database of microstructural information for defined TMP conditions. An output of microstructural data can aid the implementation of finite element based isothermal forging simulations. The effectiveness of the technique is reviewed for the near-beta alloy; Ti-10V-2Fe-3A1 at 760 deg C and the alpha+beta alloy; Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-6Mo at 825 deg C, for a range of strain rates.
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