Accepted Manuscript

Investigation of Ti-6Al-4V alloy Acoustic Softening

V. Fartashvand, A. Abdullah, S.A. Sadough Vanini

PII: S1350-4177(16)30249-8
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ultsonch.2016.07.007
Reference: ULTSON 3305

To appear in: Ultrasonics Sonochemistry

Received Date: 11 May 2016

Revised Date: 13 July 2016
Accepted Date: 14 July 2016

Please cite this article as: V. Fartashvand, A. Abdullah, S.A. Sadough Vanini, Investigation of Ti-6Al-4V alloy
Acoustic Softening, Ultrasonics Sonochemistry (2016), doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ultsonch.2016.07.007

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 Investigation of Ti-6Al-4V alloy Acoustic Softening
V. Fartashvand, A. Abdullah1, S. A. Sadough Vanini

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract
High power ultrasonic vibration is widely used for improving manufacturing processes such as
machining and metal forming. High frequency mechanical vibration affects material properties and
friction forces in contacting surfaces. Flow stress reduction under superimposed ultrasonic vibration
is called as acoustic softening. The amount of this parameter should be determined for ultrasonic
assisted metal forming processes. For determination of this parameter for workhorse Ti-6Al-4V
alloy, experimental setup was designed and fabricated. Then tensile test under longitudinal
ultrasonic vibration was performed for different ultrasonic powers. Results show that ultrasonic
vibration has considerable effect on plastic behavior of the alloy and decreases flow stress. Also,
increasing ultrasonic power leads to higher acoustic softening. Yield stress reduction up to 9.52%,
ultimate stress reduction up to 4.55% and elongation up to 13% were obtained at 340W ultrasonic
power. After applying ultrasonic vibrations and its termination, hardness of specimens were
measured in which increase up to 9% was observed.

Keywords: Ultrasonic vibration, Acoustic Softening, Ti-6Al-4V Alloy, Mechanical Property,

Longitudinal vibration.

1.Introduction
Firstly, Blaha and Langenecker in 1955 introduced the using of superimposed ultrasonic vibration
during metal forming. They investigated the ultrasonic vibration effect on Zinc crystal behavior.
Then, many researchers have been investigated the influence of ultrasonic vibration as high
frequency low amplitude mechanical wave on different manufacturing processes such as wire
drawing [1], grinding [2], forming [3-6], casting [7,8], machining [9] and impact treatment [10,11].
Results show helpful effects such as reduction in forming force, reduction in flow stress, interface
friction reduction, improvement in the surface quality and processing efficiency. These effects
attributed to the following mechanisms: acoustic softening [12,13], acoustic hardening [14], thermal
softening [15], friction reduction [16,18] and stress superposition [19-21]. Two former mechanisms
declare changes in material properties while third term relates to change in interface friction and the
last mechanism states change in loading condition. Acoustic softening is described as reduction of
flow stress during superimposing ultrasonic vibration while acoustic hardening refers to increasing
flow stress beyond normal condition after ultrasonic vibration stoppage. Also, these acoustic effects
depend on ultrasonic parameters and material property and different material shows different
behavior. The thermal softening is due to frictional heating.

On the other hand, Ti-6Al-4V is the most widely used titanium alloys and it has wide application in
the fields of aerospace, chemical industries, medical prostheses, automotive, marine, jewelry
industries and sport equipment [22]. This alloy possess a number of advantageous properties, such

1
Corresponding author: A. Abdullah, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology,
Tehran, Iran. P.O. Box 15875-4413, Email: amirah@aut.ac.ir; Phone: +98 21 64543419; Fax: +98 21 66001164.

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as high strength to weight ratio, high corrosion resistance and stability at temperatures up to 400℃.
Ti-6Al-4V is available in wrought, cast and powder forms; with wrought products accounting for
more than 95% of the market. Because of the high strength and low formability at room
temperature, this alloy is typically formed by hot forming above 540℃ [23] but this process affects
the material microstructure and mechanical properties as well as high tooling cost. Consequently,
there is need a method to improve this material room temperature formability.

It seems that ultrasonic vibration could improve material plasticity behavior of Ti-6Al-4V. Up to
now, there is no research about acoustic softening of Ti-6Al-4V. So, in order to investigate
influence of ultrasonic vibration on mechanical properties of Ti-6Al-4V, in this paper, tensile tests
were conducted on this alloy under different ultrasonic powers. For this purpose, a special set up
was designed and fabricated. Then, mechanical and fractography investigation of samples were
performed.

2.Experimental Set up
As shown in Fig. 1 (a), set up of experiments includes a Langevin ultrasonic transducer (with a
24960Hz natural frequency) that composed of six PZT piezo-ceramic rings, a steel cylinder-shaped
backing and a titanium conical matching. Ultrasonic vibration is delivered to the specimen via
transmitter. Test specimen was threaded at both ends and fastened to transmitters. The Specimen
was 6mm in diameter and 31 mm gauge length; according to ATSM E8-00b (Fig. 2) [24].The
assembly has been modeled such that the middle point of the specimen is coincident with a node of
vibration. Fig. 3 shows amplitude distribution along the axis of assembly. The four-column fixture
was designed to apply tensile force to specimen. These fixtures grip transmitter at vibration node
plane. Natural frequency of setup was determined by Network Analyzer and it was 25750 Hz (Fig.
4). This assembly was mounted on the tension head using ram connections (Fig. 1 (b)).

Fig. 1. Ultrasonic-assisted tensile test setup a) CAD model, b) the actual set up and c) extensometer connection

The tensile tests was performed on a DTU-900MHA universal testing machine. The universal
testing machine applies tensile force (quasi-static force) in the vertical direction. A load cell was
mounted on the machine upper jaw for measuring the tensile force. Strain was recorded by an
extensometer which was installed on specific grooves on the specimen (Fig. 2). The specimen was
subjected to static tensile load at a constant loading speed of 0.45 mm/s until it fails. Ultrasonic
power supply has voltage and ampere indicators and displays output values of these parameters.
Ultrasonic power was calculated by multiplication of the readings.

In order to investigation of system correct design and fabrication, primary test was performed on Al
7075-T6. Result of this test was shown in Fig. 5. Ultrasonic vibration was imposed at 50 MPa and
flow stress of this material increased as soon as stopping the vibration. As shown from this figure,
flow stress decreases about 60 MPa for this alloy under ultrasonic vibration.

The chemical composition of Ti-6Al-4V is shown in Table 1.Tensile tests on Ti-6Al-4V under
ultrasonic vibrations were carried out at different average ultrasonic power levels: 0W, 100W and
340W.

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Fig. 2. Specimen shape and dimensions (unit: mm)

Table 1. Chemical Composition of Ti-6Al-4V (%wt)

Fig. 3. Distribution of vibration amplitude along assembly of transmitters and specimen on

longitudinal mode shape

Fig. 4. Network analyzer result of assembly of ultrasonic assisted tensile test set up

Fig. 5. Stress-strain curves of Al 7075-T6 alloy with interrupted superimposed ultrasonic

vibration

3.Results and discussions

Fig. 6 shows tensile stress-strain behavior of Ti-6Al-4V under static tension at the three different
ultrasonic levels. Ultrasonic vibration was started when the stress reached to 50MPa and continued
until the sample was broken. The stress-strain behavior of this alloy at room temperature shows a
continuous yielding and a ductile fracture.

There are contradictory reports about ultrasonic vibration influence on elastic region [12,25]. As
shown in Fig. 6, elastic modulus is approximately constant for three tests and this indicates that
ultrasonic vibration does not affect elastic behavior of Ti-6Al-4V.

As shown in Fig. 6, flow stress of Ti-6Al-4V in plastic region decreases under ultrasonic vibration.
Tensile yield stress without superimposed ultrasonic vibration during test was 882 MPa which is in
consistency with ASM standard [26] for annealed Ti-6Al-4V. Superimposed ultrasonic vibration
decreased the yield stress to a minimum 798MPa at maximum ultrasonic power of 340W where the
yield stress was 828MPa at 100W ultrasonic power. Yield stress reduction ratios were about 6.12%
and 9.52% for 100W and 340W ultrasonic powers, respectively.

During superimposed ultrasonic tensile deformation, in the uniform plastic region, two opposite
phenomena exist: acoustic softening and strain hardening. Acoustic softening decreases material
flow stress while strain hardening increases flow stress. In the meantime, some literature report
acoustic hardening phenomenon [27] in which flow stress increases after stopping ultrasonic
vibration. In presented results in Fig. 6, ultrasonic vibration switched off after specimen breakage
and so, acoustic hardening phenomenon was not investigated in these curves. Based on the results
shown in this figure, by applying ultrasonic vibration, the flow stress decreases in plastic
deformation region and by increasing ultrasonic power more reduction in flow stress obtained.
Without applying ultrasonic vibration, ultimate tensile strength (UTS) was 944MPa while it was
925MPa and 901MPa for 100W and 340W ultrasonic powers, respectively. Therefore, UTS
reduction ratio is 2% and 4.55% for 100W and 340W, respectively. It can be seen in the curves that
yield stress reduction is not equal to ultimate stress reduction. It might be attributed that increasing
of material strength due to strain hardening causes to decreasing acoustic softening amount.

During tensile test, there are no contacting surfaces and mechanism of friction reduction or surface
effect is not contributed in flow stress reduction. According to ultrasonic wave superposition theory,

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the dynamic acoustic stress is superimposed on static stress in ultrasonic assisted metal forming. As
shown in Fig. 6, amount of yield stress reduction is higher than ultimate stress reduction. It means
that superposition theory is not enough for interpretation of flow stress reduction.

Fig. 6. The tensile stress-strain curves for different ultrasonic power levels at room
temperature

Elongation is a criteria for material formability. The fracture surface of all samples show cup and
cone fracture and an apparent necking effect. As shown in Fig. 6, increasing ultrasonic power
causes to higher fracture strain. Elongation for tensile test without superimposed ultrasonic
vibrations was 10.5% where was 10.7% and 13%, for 100W and 340W ultrasonic powers,
respectively. Therefore, by increasing vibration power, the elongation increases and the material
plasticity is improved. However, Wen [25] reported that higher ultrasonic powers tends to
decrease the elongation of AZ21. This means that material behavior under ultrasonic vibration is
different.

Active material deformation mechanism in Ti-6Al-4V is slipping, because high concentration of

solute atoms in α phase, suppresses twining [28]. Therefore, increasing in elongation can be
attributed to the slip mechanism. Since slip occurs due to movement of dislocations, increasing the
number of active dislocations (dislocation density) as well as reduction of critical shear stress for
dislocation motion under ultrasonic vibration maybe responsible for enhanced elongation.

In another test, ultrasonic vibration was applied in the plastic region (Fig. 7). As soon as average
200W ultrasonic vibration was superimposed, the flow stress sharply decreased about 10MPa. By
switching off of ultrasonic vibration, the flow stress is increased by 7.2MPa. So, it is seems that
acoustic hardening phenomenon is not observed for Ti-6Al-4V. This phenomenon has been
reported in for Al alloys [25].

Fig. 7. Decrease of flow stress due to application of ultrasonic vibration on uniform plastic
region of Ti-6Al-4V alloy

Fig. 8 shows hardness measurement results of samples of Fig. 6 in which ultrasonic vibration
applies until the fracture. Rockwell hardness measurements were performed at least 3 times and the
average of results are reported. Hardness number is 48.5RC, 52.25RC and 53RC for 0, 100Watt and
340 Watt ultrasonic powers, respectively. Also, hardness of specimens under interrupted ultrasonic
vibrations (Fig. 7) is 48.5RC which equals with specimen without applying ultrasonic vibration.
These results show continuous exposure to ultrasonic vibrations increases the hardness of specimen.
This means that strength of material increases with long time exposure to ultrasonic vibration. By
comparison of these result with Fig. 7, it may be concluded that increase of hardness under
continues superimposed ultrasonic vibration may be due to higher plastic deformation under
ultrasonic vibrations.

Fig. 8. Hardness of the specimens against ultrasonic power

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In literature, different observation were reported about material bulk temperature increasing during
imposing ultrasonic deformation. As shown in thermography picture (Fig. 9), no significant
temperature increasing was observed. High temperature areas relate to contacting surfaces between
jaws of extensimeter and specimen.

Fig. 9. Temperature distribution during ultrasonic assisted tensile test

SEM fractography images of samples are shown in Fig. 10. Dimples exist on all of the fractured
surfaces and imply to a ductile fracture. Also, equiaxed shape microvoids are observed in figures.
Increasing ultrasonic vibrations power causes to increased dimples size and depth on fractured
surfaces.

Fig. 10. Fractography morphology of Ti-6Al-4V samples with a and d) 0Watt, b and e)
100Watt, c and f) 340Watt superimposed ultrasonic vibration on tensile test.

4.Conclusion
This study was to evaluate the effect of ultrasonic vibration on deformation behavior of Ti-6Al-4V
alloy in tensile test. The followings are concluded:

• Flow stress reduction and elongation increasing lead to improvement of plasticity

behavior of Ti-6Al-4V alloy under ultrasonic vibration during tensile deformation.
• Yield stress reduction up to 9.52%, ultimate stress reduction up to 4.55% and elongation
improvement up to 13% were observed.
• Difference in values of yield stress reduction and ultimate stress reduction indicates that
superposition mechanism is not only mechanism of flow stress reduction.
• Acoustic hardening phenomenon was not observed for this Alloy.
• Continues application of ultrasonic vibrations increases the hardness of specimens while
it is seen that interrupted application do not have significant influence.
• Bulk temperature of specimen does not increase considerably.

Acknowledgment
The authors would like to thank Dr. Younes Alizadeh, head of Strength of Materials Laboratory of
Mechanical Engineering Department of Amirkabir University for providing facilities of conducting
the tests and his excellent guides. We also wish to special thank Mr. Rezvan Abedini, Mr. Morteza
Sadeghi and Mr. Masoud Malaki for their helps.

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Figure captions,

Fig. 1. Ultrasonic-assisted tensile test setup a) CAD model, b) the actual set up and c) extensometer
connection

Fig. 2. Specimen shape and dimensions (unit: mm)

Fig. 3. Distribution of vibration amplitude along assembly of transmitters and specimen on

longitudinal mode shape

Fig. 4. Network analyzer result of assembly of ultrasonic assisted tensile test set up

Fig. 5. Stress-strain curves of Al 7075-T6 alloy with interrupted superimposed ultrasonic vibration

Fig. 6. The tensile stress-strain curves for different ultrasonic power levels at room temperature

Fig. 7. Decrease of flow stress due to application of ultrasonic vibration on uniform plastic region of
Ti-6Al-4V alloy

Fig. 8. Hardness of the specimens against ultrasonic power

Fig. 9. Temperature distribution during ultrasonic assisted tensile test

Fig. 10. Fractography morphology of Ti-6Al-4V samples with a and d) 0Watt, b and e) 100Watt, c
and f) 340Watt superimposed ultrasonic vibration on tensile test.

Tables

Table 1. Chemical Composition of Ti-6Al-4V (%wt)

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Fig. 5
Click here to download high resolution image
Table 2. Chemical Composition of Ti-6Al-4V (%wt)
Al V Fe C N O H Ti
6.2 4.1 0.1 0.01 0.01 0.13 0.002 Reminder

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Highlights

• Tensile properties of Ti-6Al-4V under superimposed high power ultrasonic are

investigated.
• Yield stress reduction up to 9.52% due to acoustic softening is observed.
• Ultimate strength reduction up to 4.55% is observed.
• The elongation of Ti-6Al-4V is improved up to 13% by the high power ultrasonic.
• Acoustic hardening effect is not observed.