This article focuses on the effect of the microstructure on the activity of different deformation mechanisms and the resulting mechanical behavior of a metastable  Ti alloy (-Cez). Various types of microstructures were produced, with given volume fractions of  phase (100 or 90 pct). These microstructures differed in the size of their  grains as well as in the distribution, shape, and size of the primary ␣ particles. A statistical approach was also developed to characterize small variations in chemistry of the  phase between the various microstructures. It is shown that, even for similar volume fractions of  phase, changes in the microstructure strongly affect the mechanical response of the alloy. The mechanical response is controlled by the interplay between the two deformation modes operating in this alloy: formation of ␣Љ deformation-induced martensite and activation of slip. The easier formation of stress-induced martensite leads to lower apparent yield stresses and a better work-hardening response. On the contrary, very limited work hardening is obtained when slip is activated solely. The differences in the ability of the martensitic transformation to occur can be understood by considering the effect on M s and T 0 of both the chemistry of the  phase and of constraining effects due to grain sizes and dislocations.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.