Electroplastic effect in titanium during compression

As is known, the electroplastic effect (EPE) manifests itself in a decrease in flow stresses and/or an increase in plasticity during metal deformation and simultaneous passage of electric current through it. Of interest is the study of this effect in many metals, including pure titanium, which is biocompatible with an organic environment and corrosion resistant, due to which it is widely used in medicine, aviation engineering and other industries. Traditionally, the effect is studied under tension, and in some cases under other deformation schemes. The objective of this work is to study the features of the deformation behavior of coarse-grained Grade 4 titanium under compression and exposure to pulsed current. When using a high-duty ratio current ( Q = 5000), jumps in stress reduction are observed on the compression deformation curve. If a low-duty ratio current ( Q = 10) is used in the compression process, the intensity of strain hardening, yield strength, and flow stresses become less than under compression without the effect of current. The microhardness measurements were performed which naturally increases under compression compared to the initial state, while its increase is less intense when using a high-duty current. The structural features of titanium after compression with and without current were studied — the intensity of deformation processes when using current decreases. Under compression refinement of second-phase particles is observed while the effect of current leads to their partial dissolution. A comparison of electroplastic effects under compression and tension has been carried out. Qualitative similarity was noted, but EPE is more pronounced under compression. The results obtained can be used to develop technological processes for electroplastic deformation of titanium.