Affect of shock-induced phase transformations on dynamic strength of titanium alloys

A series of complex alloyed (α+β) VT-16 Titanium alloy targets were subjected to shock loading under uniaxial strain conditions within impact velocity range of 276–600 m/s. The tests reveal a presence of forward (α→ω) and (β→ω) phase transitions at the load front and reverse (ω→β ) transition at the release front of compressive pulse. Duration of (β→ω) and (ω → β ) transitions is approximately 0.5 μs. When spallation happens after reverse (ω →β) phase transition, the spall-strength of alloy increases by 25%. Oscillating regime of that transformation proves to widen the impact velocity range where the spall-strength is maximum.