Effect of aging on the tensile properties and microstructures of a near-alpha titanium alloy

The effect of aging temperature between 650 degrees C and 750 degrees C for different aging times on the tensile properties and microstructures of Ti60 alloy were studied. The results show that the strength of the alloy increases first and then decreases with the aging temperature increases from 650 degrees C to 750 degrees C. The reduction of area of the alloy is more sensitive to the aging time than elongation. With increasing aging temperature and time, the volume fracture and grain size of silicides and alpha(2) phase increase gradually. The silicides have the strengthen effect on the Ti60 alloy, but the effect weakens when the silicides grow up. The loss of ductility is mainly attributed to the precipitation of alpha(2) phase after aging treatment. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.