Investigation on the microstructure evolution and dynamic recrystallization mechanisms of TiAl alloy at elevated temperature

The flow stress–strain curves appear to be sensitive to deformation conditions. The ratio of critical strain to peak strain εc/εp follows a linear relationship except when the temperature is 1240 °C and the strain rate is 0.001 s−1. During the deformation, the fragmentation and decomposition of γ/α2 lamellae are related to recrystallization of α2 and γ laths in the lamellae and the γ → α2 phase transformation, the former depends on dislocation slip and twinning, and the latter is related to temperature, local stress concentration and diffusion time. As for the recrystallization mechanisms, the γ phase is discontinuous dynamic recrystallization (DDRX) mode, while the α2 phase relies on continuous dynamic recrystallization (CDRX) mode. The β phase has more low-angle grain boundaries (LAGB) during deformation, indicating the continuous coordinated deformation, and this explains the enlarged hot working window of the TiAl alloy (1165–1240 °C/0.001 ~ 1 s−1 and 1120–1165 °C/0.001–0.4 s−1).