A physically based constitutive model of Ti-6Al-4 V and application in the SPF/DB process for a pyramid lattice sandwich panel

The physically based constitutive modeling, simulation and experimental of a superplastic forming and diffusion bonding (SPF/DB) process were studied for the manufacture of a pyramid lattice Ti-6Al-4 V sandwich panel structure. The high-temperature deformation behaviors of Ti-6Al-4 V were studied using uniaxial tensile tests at various temperatures 860  – 950 °C and strain rates 0.0001 s−1 ~ 0.01 s−1, corresponding microstructures were observed using optical microscope (OM) and Electron Backscattered Diffraction (EBSD). Based on obtained flow behavior and microstructure, a set of physically based constitutive equations of the Ti-6Al-4 V was established and used to simulate the superplastic forming for a pyramid lattice sandwich panel. The thinning ratios, dislocation densities, grain sizes and damage distributions of the sandwich panels were successfully predicted by the finite element (FE) simulation. A pyramid lattice Ti-6Al-4 V alloy sandwich panel with good dimensional accuracy and mechanical properties was manufactured by the SPF/DB process at 920 °C with a gas loading path of 0.0005 MPa/s. The maximum thickness thinning ratio, damage factor and relative grain size at the ribs of the sandwich panel were 26.3%, 6.7% and 0.94, respectively. The established constitutive model aids the FE simulations of SPF/DB manufacture of sandwich panels’ structure enabling both macro- and micro-properties to be synergistically controlled and guides the practical process optimizations.