Effect and Mechanism of Electroshock Treatment on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of (TiB+TiC)/Ti–6Al–4V Composite

Abstract

Herein, electroshock treatment (EST) is used to tailor the microstructure and mechanical properties of (TiB + TiC)/Ti–6Al–4V titanium matrix composite (TMC). Microstructural characterization results indicate that short‐time EST can promote β phase transition, thereby refining the α phase in the matrix. EST with 0.06 s leads to significant change in morphology of TMC; the matrix is transformed to basketweave structure and the acicular secondary α and martensite phase are precipitated. The yield strength and hardness of TMC are improved by fine grain strengthening. Under EST, the distribution of texture becomes uniform and the texture intensity of α phase is reduced. The microstructural changes are mainly attributed to the thermal and athermal effects of EST, which facilitates phase transformation and grain refinement. This work indicates that EST is an efficient way to manipulate the microstructure and mechanical properties for strengthening TMCs.