In situ observation of texture and microstructure evolution during rolling and globularization of Ti-6Al-4V

The evolution of texture in beta-annealed Ti-6Al-4V during a alpha-beta rolling and so-called recrystallization annealing has been examined using synchrotron X-ray diffraction and ex situ characterization. During rolling, the initial alpha (0 0 0 2) texture softens and the colony alpha becomes kinked. During globularization, the texture strengthens as highly strained (and hence misoriented) areas of the laths disappear and this strengthening continues once coarsening of the primary alpha becomes dominant. At shorter heat treatment times the alpha(s) laths that form on cooling do so with a range of variant-related orientations to the beta, but at longer annealing times this alpha(s) takes on the orientation of the surrounding alpha(p). The implications for the mechanical performance of macrozone-containing bimodal Ti-6Al-4V material are discussed. (C) 2012 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.