Ti–15V–3Cr–3Sn–3Al(Ti–15–3), a kind of metastable beta titanium which has high specific strength and good cold-formability, is highlighted for applications in the aerospace manufacture industry. However, the technique for improving its formability at elevated temperatures is still a challenge at present. In this work, a step deformation method is proposed for superplasticity improvement of coarse grained Ti–15–3 plates at temperatures around its beta transus. The effects of the strain rate and the strain at the first stage on the superplasticity are investigated. The results show an increase of the strain rate sensitivity and a decrease of the flow stress under the step deformation mode compared to those obtained under constant strain rates at 780℃. The maximum strain to failure obtained in the step mode is 93% higher than that deformed in the constant strain rate mode. Strain rates, strains at the first stage, and temperatures have influences on the superplasticity improvement. The deformation mechanism is concluded as subgrain formation accommodated by grain boundary sliding rate-controlled by dislocation climb. The improved m value in the step deformation is accounted to the extra dislocation density produced during the strain rate reduction.
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