Effect of strain rate on tensile mechanical behavior of TP-650 titanium matrix composite

The strain rates effect of TiC-particle-reinforced titanium matrix composite TP-650 was investigated under room temperature tensile conditions. The quasi-static and dynamic tensile properties of the TP-650 composite were compared with those of the matrix. The morphologies of fracture surfaces of both the matrix and the composite were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The result shows that the strain rates exert complex effects on the mechanical behavior of particle-reinforced titanium matrix composite. Under the quasi-static conditions, both the behaviors of the matrix and the composite are similar to those of the ideal elastic-plastic materials. The composite has better reinforcing effect than the matrix due to the addition of the TiC particles. While under the high strain rate, the mechanical characteristics of the composite are not obviously superior to those of the matrix, and the composite shows a higher brittleness than the matrix. The composite and matrix do not show monotonic strain-rate effect under different strain rates.