Abstract: Adiabatic shear is known to be a precursor to the failure of metals processed at high strain rate. The present study focuses on the adiabatic shear failure characteristic of TA2 titanium alloy under dynamic compression. The dynamic stress-strain behavior is tested by split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB), and adiabatic shear bands (ASBs) are investigated by means of optical microscopy. The metallographic analysis reveals that the ASBs pattern in specimen is symmetrical bi-conical. Furthermore, a comprehensive finite element analysis of shear localization of the deformed cylindrical specimens is carried out. The numerical simulations are in agreement with the experimental results, and the frictional force between the specimen and the Hopkinson bars significantly affects the evolution of shear localization.

Key words: solid mechanics, TA2 titanium alloy, dynamic compression, adiabatic shear band, finite element method