Characterization of RHA and titanium 6-4 alloys

Abstract

Rolled Homogeneous Armor (RHA) steel and Titanium 6-4 Alloy are characterized in tension at quasi-static and high strain rates to ∼1700/s and high temperatures to 1/2 Tm (melting temp). Room temperature stress-strain data show that the strain rate sensitivity of titanium is twice that of RHA. Temperature softening of the two alloys is investigated by performing tests at various temperatures to 1/2 Tm. Flow stress of RHA at a strain rate of ∼1000/s decreases from about 1500 MPa at 21°C to 750 MPa at 1/2 Tm. Titanium flow stress decreases from about 1450 MPa to 600 MPa at 1/2 Tm. Both alloys are also characterized in the torsion mode to investigate their shear response. Shear stress - strain data are analyzed to correlate to the tension data for both the alloys. © 2012 American Institute of Physics.