Textural changes during β→α and α→β→α transformations in a near-α titanium alloy

The near-α titanium alloy Ti-6Al-5Zr-0.5Mo-0.25Si has been rolled in the β- and (α+β)-phase fields. Texture studies have been performed on each of these materials in the as-rolled condition after air cooling from the finish rolling pass, with a view to examining the transformation texture β/(α+β)→α. One of the materials from each of the β and (α+β) rolled conditions has been heat treated in the β-phase field and air cooled (AC) to α phase in order to study the nature of the α → β → α transformation texture. Results indicate that transformation textures of the α phase are significantly different for both the β as well as the (α+β) rolling conditions. Heat treatment of secondary (transformed) α in the β-phase field and its further cooling to α phase leads to relatively weak texture for the β rolled materials. The results have been discussed in relation to the microstructural features and consequent variant selections and have been correlated with those observed in titanium and its alloys.