Characterization of stress-strain behavior of superplastic titanium alloy by free bulging tests with pressure jumps

The work is dedicated to determination of stress-strain behavior of Ti6Al4V alloy deformed in conditions of biaxial tension provided by free bulging testing. The dome height during each test was continuously measured and recorded using a magnetostrictive position transducer. All the tests were performed using stepped pressure regime with jump pressure changing between two values at evenly spaced time moments. This experimental technique provides the possibility to study strain rate sensitivity index variation during the test and subsequently construct strain and strain rate dependent material model. The output data of each test include the evolution of dome height, subsequent pressure regime and final thickness of the specimen at the dome pole. In the framework of this study the processing of such data in order to evaluate the material behavior is discussed. Inverse analysis with different material models was implemented as well as special direct technique allowing one to construct stress-strain curves based on the results of free bulging tests with pressure jumps. The obtained material model was verified by finite element simulation.