Superior tensile properties and unique damage-fracture characteristics of Ti-2.5Cu α-titanium alloy at liquid-nitrogen temperature

α-titanium alloys are extensively applied under cryogenic environment and thereby their cryogenic mechanical properties and service failures deserve to be deeply studied. Here, tensile behaviors and damage-fracture characteristics of Ti-2.5Cu α-titanium alloy were systematically investigated at liquid-nitrogen temperature (LT) plus room temperature (RT) for comparison. It is found that the LT samples possess superior strength and ductility concurrently. Both yield strength (σy) and ultimate tensile strength (σb) improve more than 70%, whilst total elongation at fracture (A) adds more than 33% in comparison with the RT counterparts. Meanwhile, the LT samples are stretched mainly by uniform strain without noticeable necking. Fracture analysis indicates that being different from typical cup-and-cone fracture surface in the RT samples, the ‘radial’ fracture surface appears in the LT samples. Such specific fracture surface is constructed by two characteristic morphologies of crack-initiation zone at sample surface and the ensuing crack-propagation zone. Furthermore, it is seen that a large number of micro-voids are dispersed underneath fracture surface in the RT samples, whereas the number of micro-voids is sharply reduced at LT. Nevertheless, Vickers hardness at the position is always much higher in the LT samples. These novel mechanical properties and damage-fracture characteristics in the LT samples are closely associated with the prevalent deformation twinning in microstructure. Deformation twinning itself and plentiful twins-induced dynamic Hall-Petch effect steadily accommodate plastic deformation, contributing to the simultaneous enhancement of strength and ductility. This process also results in high stress state in samples, increasing the sensitivity of surface cracking. Hence, the ‘radial’ fracture morphology is finally formed. These findings enrich our fundamental understanding on deformation-damage-fracture process of α-titanium alloys, and also provide implicit guidance for the design of titanium alloys with high performance. •Ti-2.5Cu alloy achieves superior tensile strength and ductility synergy at LT.•‘Radial’ rather than cup-and-cone fracture surface appears in the LT samples.•Few micro-voids but higher hardness are displayed underneath fracture surface.•Twinning and plentiful twins steadily accommodate strain without localization.•Cracking sensitivity at sample surface caused by high stress makes radial fracture.