Infrared thermography applied for experimental investigation of thermomechanical couplings in Gum Metal

Abstract

Results of initial investigation of thermomechanical couplings in innovative β-Ti alloy called Gum Metal subjected to tension are presented. The experimental set-up, consisting of testing machine and infrared camera, enabled to obtain stress–strain curves with high accuracy and correlate them to estimated temperature changes of the specimen during the deformation process. Both ultra-low elastic modulus and high strength of Gum Metal were confirmed. The infrared measurements determined average and maximal temperature changes accompanying the alloy deformation process, allowed to estimate thermoelastic effect, which is related to the alloy yield point. The temperature distributions on the specimen surface served to analyse strain localization effects leading to the necking and rupture.