High performance ultrafine-grained Ti-Fe-based alloys with multiple length-scale phases

In order to simultaneously enhance the strength and plasticity in nanostructured / ultrafine-grained alloys, a strategy of introducing multiple length scales into microstructure (or called bimodal composite microstructure) has been developed recently. This paper presents a brief overview of the alloy developement and the mechanical behavior of ultrafine-grained Ti-Fe-based alloys with different length-scale phases, i.e., micrometer-sized primary phases (dendrites or eutectic) embedded in an ultrafine-grained eutectic matrix. These ultrafine-grained titanium bimodal composites could be directly obtained through a simple single-step solidification process. The as-prepared composites exhibit superior mechanical properties, including high strength of 2000-2700 MPa, large plasticity up to 15-20% and high specific strength. Plastic deformation of the ultrafine-grained titanium bimodal composites occurs through a combination of dislocation-based slip in the nano-/ultrafine scale matrix and constraint multiple shear banding around the micrometer-sized primary phase. The microstructural charactersitcs associated to the mechanical behaivor have been detailed discussed.