Novel Experimentation for the Validation of Mechanistic Models to Describe Cold Dwell Sensitivity in Titanium Alloys

Previous mechanistic models, proposed to explain the process of damage accumulation and stress redistribution between strong and weak regions inherent within the microstructure of α/β and near α titanium alloys, are validated through a matrix of experiments employing a non-standard variant of the alloy Ti 685. The grain size of the model material was deliberately processed to offer grains up to 20 mm in diameter, to facilitate constitutive measurements within individual grains. A range of experiments were performed under static and cyclic loading, with the fatigue cycle conducted under either strain or load control. Data will be reported to demonstrate significant variations in elastic and plastic properties between grains and emphasise the role of time dependent strain accumulation. Implications for the “dwell sensitive fatigue” or “cold creep” response of conventional titanium alloys will be discussed.