Low-cost alpha-beta titanium alloy with good ballistic and mechanical properties

摘要

An alpha-beta Ti alloy having improved mechanical and ballistic properties formed using a low-cost composition is disclosed. In one embodiment, the Ti alloy composition, in weight percent, is 4.2 to 5.4% aluminum, 2.5 to 3.5% vanadium, 0.5 to 0.7% iron, 0.15 to 0.19% oxygen and balance titanium. The exemplary Ti alloy exhibits a tensile yield strength of at least about 120,000 psi and an ultimate tensile strength of at least about 128,000 psi in both longitudinal and transverse directions, a reduction in area of at least about 43%, an elongation of at least about 12% and about a 0.430-inch-thick plate has a V₅₀ ballistic limit of about 1936 fps. The Ti alloy may be manufactured using a combination of recycled and/or virgin materials, thereby providing a low-cost route to the formation of high-quality armor plate for use in military systems.