Microstructure, texture, and mechanical properties of electron-beam melted Ti-6A1-4V

The chemical homogeneity, microstructure, texture, and mechanical properties of Ti-6Al-4V ingots synthesized via electron-beam melting were established. Despite large aluminum losses during melting, very uniform compositions well within the specification for the alloy were obtained in both 200- and 400-mm diameter ingots. The local conditions of melting and solidification produced essentially texture-free as-cast material with a largely equiaxed beta grain structure. Following hot working via rolling at various temperatures, a wide range of microstructures and textures similar to those found in conventionally-processed Ti-6Al-4V was obtained. The resulting mechanical properties were comparable to or better than those found in Ti-6Al-4V synthesized via vacuum arc remelting. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.