Abstract: An in-depth understanding of the crystal orientation evolution during hot rolling of TiB whisker (TiBw) /TA15 composites and the anisotropy of the as-rolled plates can help fully utilize the material properties. In this paper, the crystal plasticity finite element models of high-temperature (HT) β-phase and room-temperature (RT) α-phase were constructed from electron backscattering diffraction data. Based on this, the orientation evolution during hot rolling in the single-phase region and the effects of the matrix texture on the mechanical properties of the as-rolled plates were analyzed. The effect of TiBw on the anisotropy was studied by the composites finite element model. Results showed that the α-fiber texture of the β-phase was formed during HT rolling. This texture was converted to the T-texture of the α-phase at RT during cooling according to the Burgers orientation relationships. The TiBw had little effect on the matrix texture composition. The TiBw and matrix texture caused the matrix to have higher strength along the rolling direction and the transverse direction, respectively. The matrix texture dominated the difference in mechanical properties because its effect exceeded that of TiBw. The effect of the matrix on the mechanical properties was caused by the Schmid factors (SFs) and the critical resolved shear stress (CRSS) of the slip system together. The slip mode was influenced by SFs determined by the angular relationship between the crystal orientation and the loading direction. The CRSS of the activated slip system determined the yield strength.

Key words: TiBw/TA15 composites, Crystal plasticity finite element model, Orientation, Anisotropic, Slip mode