Structure evolution in submicrocrystalline titanium upon cold deformation

The structure evolution in submicrocrystalline (SMC) titanium with an average grain size of about 0.4 mum in the course of cold deformation was studied. It was determined that the main mechanism of deformation under the temperature-rate experimental conditions used was dislocation slip in the bulk of grains. A qualitative similarity of the deformation processes occurring in the SMC titanium and titanium with a coarser grain was found. It was shown that the specific feature of evolution of the SMC structure is its higher rate of development at the early stages of plastic flow. Presumably, this was caused by the higher level of internal stresses and by a considerable gradient of deformation nonuniformity.