Microstructure and mechanical properties of TC4 titanium alloy hollow shaft formed by cross wedge rolling

Abstract

Production of hollow shafts satisfying mechanical performance requirements can well meet the needs of lightweight. The purpose of this work is to investigate the effect of cross wedge rolling (CWR) process parameters on microstructure and mechanical properties of TC4 titanium alloy hollow shafts, so as to ensure the feasibility of forming TC4 titanium alloy hollow shaft by CWR. The results demonstrate that the initial deformation temperature, area reduction, wall thickness, and mandrel have significant effects on the volume fraction of primary alpha phase (\n $$f_{\\alpha \\_p}$$\n ), morphology of alpha phase and interface of alpha/beta phase. The decrease of the $$f_{\\alpha \\_p}$$\n , the increase of fine secondary alpha phase content and the increase of the number of alpha/beta phase interfaces can increase the strength of TC4 alloy hollow shafts, but decrease the elongation. When the initial deformation temperature is 950\xa0°C, the contribution of the thick secondary alpha phase is similar to that of the primary alpha phase, resulting in the decrease of strength. The strength is further improved owing to the grain refinement with the increase of area reduction to 60%. The strength decreases as the wall thickness increases owing to the non-uniform microstructure distribution, which can be improved by increasing the area reduction appropriately. The comprehensive mechanical properties of the workpiece rolled with a mandrel are evidently higher than that rolled without a mandrel. Under any forming condition in this work, every fracture surface is covered with abundant dimples and voids, showing good ductile fracture characteristics.