The effect of cooling rate on the cyclic deformation of β-annealed Ti-6Al-4V

The coarseness of the transformed beta plate structure of beta-heat treated Ti-6Al-4V has a strong influence on its properties. A systematic study of the effects of cooling rate on tensile and cyclic deformation properties in air was performed. The properties are correlated to the cooling rates and the controlling microstructural features. The tensile strength can be reduced by about 70 MPa with the slower cooling rate from the beta transus temperature when comparing air cooling to water quenching for thinner section sizes. The cooling rate also affects the cyclic deformation behaviour. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.