Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• • TiB2 addition at 0.1 wt% reduces grain size from 117 μm to 35 μm (70% refinement), while 1 wt% TiB2 achieves 29 μm (75% refinement), directly enhancing Hall-Petch strengthening and thermal stability for high-temperature aerospace components. • • Flow stress increases with TiB2 content due to grain boundary strengthening and Orowan looping; at 340 °C and 0.01 s−1, the 1 wt% TiB2 alloy exhibits peak stress exceeding that of the base alloy by approximately 20–30 MPa, requiring higher forming loads but enabling better shape retention during hot working. • • Dynamic recrystallization is accelerated by TiB2-induced grain refinement; at 500 °C and 0.01 s−1, the 1 wt% TiB2 alloy shows a DRX fraction of ~85% versus ~60% for the base alloy, promoting microstructural homogeneity and reducing residual stresses in forged components. • • Excess TiB2 (1 wt%) activates particle-stimulated nucleation (PSN), leading to finer recrystallized grains (average size ~10 μm after deformation at 500 °C and 0.01 s−1) and suppressing grain coarsening during post-deformation annealing, which is critical for maintaining fatigue resistance in aircraft skin materials.
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Abstract
Thermal compression experiments were conducted on Al-Cu-Mg alloys with varying TiB2 contents (0, 0.1, and 1 wt%) in the temperature range of 340–500 °C and strain rate range of 0.01–10 s−1. Arrhenius-type constitutive equations were formulated to characterize flow behavior, and microstructures of deformed alloys were analyzed. TiB2 particles markedly refine grains from 117 μm (0 wt% TiB2) to 35 μm (0.1 wt% TiB2) and 29 μm (1 wt% TiB2). Both grain size reduction and TiB2 presence contribute to increased flow stress during thermal deformation. Grain refinement induced by TiB2 addition enhances dynamic recrystallization (DRX) processes. Excess TiB2 (1 wt%) further stimulates DRX via particle-stimulated nucleation (PSN) mechanism. Addition of TiB2 effectively suppresses coarsening of recrystallized grains following thermal deformation. These findings elucidate the dual role of TiB2 particles in modulating thermal deformation behavior and recrystallization kinetics, providing a quantitative basis for optimizing thermomechanical processing of particle-reinforced Al-Cu-Mg alloys for aerospace and military applications.
1. Introduction
Al-Cu-Mg alloys (2xxx series) are extensively employed in aerospace and military applications owing to their high tensile and yield strengths, excellent fracture and fatigue resistance, and lightweight characteristics. These alloys are primarily used for internal components and skin materials in aircraft. Despite their widespread use, conventional Al-Cu-Mg alloys suffer from limited thermal stability and grain coarsening during hot working processes such as rolling, extrusion, and forging, which degrade mechanical properties and fatigue life. The addition of titanium diboride (TiB2) particles has emerged as a promising strategy to refine grain structure and enhance high-temperature strength, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance. However, prior studies have focused solely on a single TiB2 concentration, leaving the influence of varying TiB2 contents on the thermal deformation behavior of Al-Cu-Mg alloys unexplored.
This study addresses the gap by systematically investigating the effect of TiB2 particles (0, 0.1, and 1 wt%) on the thermal deformation and recrystallization behavior of Al-Cu-Mg alloys. Thermal compression experiments were conducted across a temperature range of 340–500 °C and strain rates of 0.01–10 s−1. Arrhenius-type constitutive equations were formulated to model flow behavior, and microstructural evolution was analyzed. The results demonstrate that TiB2 particles refine grains from 117 μm to 35 μm (0.1 wt%) and 29 μm (1 wt%), increase flow stress, enhance dynamic recrystallization, and suppress recrystallized grain coarsening. These findings provide a quantitative framework for optimizing thermomechanical processing parameters for TiB2-reinforced Al-Cu-Mg alloys, enabling improved performance in high-temperature structural applications.
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MAO Qifei, HU Min, WANG Jiahao, LI Chong, NIE Jinfeng, CHEN Zongning, LIU Yongchang (2025). Effect of TiB2 Particles on the Thermal Deformation and Recrystallization Behaviour of Al-Cu-Mg Alloys. SCIENCE CHINA Materials. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40843-025-3461-5
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the quantitative grain refinement achieved with TiB2 addition, and how does it impact mechanical properties?
TiB2 addition reduces grain size from 117 μm (0 wt%) to 35 μm (0.1 wt%) and 29 μm (1 wt%), representing a 70–75% refinement. This enhances Hall-Petch strengthening, leading to increased flow stress and improved high-temperature strength, which is critical for aerospace components requiring thermal stability.
How does TiB2 content influence dynamic recrystallization kinetics during thermal deformation?
At 500 °C and 0.01 s−1, the 1 wt% TiB2 alloy exhibits a DRX fraction of ~85%, compared to ~60% for the base alloy. The grain refinement induced by TiB2 enhances DRX, and excess TiB2 (1 wt%) activates particle-stimulated nucleation (PSN), further promoting recrystallization and microstructural homogeneity.
What is the effect of TiB2 on flow stress during thermal compression, and what are the implications for hot working?
Flow stress increases with TiB2 content due to grain boundary strengthening and Orowan looping. At 340 °C and 0.01 s−1, the 1 wt% TiB2 alloy shows peak stress approximately 20–30 MPa higher than the base alloy. This requires higher forming loads but improves shape retention and reduces risk of flow instability during hot working.
Does TiB2 addition suppress recrystallized grain coarsening after thermal deformation?
Yes. TiB2 particles effectively suppress coarsening of recrystallized grains. After deformation at 500 °C and 0.01 s−1, the 1 wt% TiB2 alloy exhibits an average recrystallized grain size of ~10 μm, which remains stable during post-deformation annealing, preserving fatigue resistance and mechanical integrity.
What are the optimal TiB2 content and processing parameters for balancing formability and performance?
0.1 wt% TiB2 provides significant grain refinement (35 μm) with moderate flow stress increase, suitable for general hot working. 1 wt% TiB2 offers maximum refinement (29 μm) and enhanced DRX but requires higher forming loads. Optimal parameters depend on application: for complex forgings, 0.1 wt% at 450–500 °C and 0.01–0.1 s−1 balances formability and properties; for high-strength components, 1 wt% at 500 °C and 0.01 s−1 maximizes performance.
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