Effect of α+β solution treatment and aging on the performance of powder forged Ti-5Al-2.5Fe

Abstract

Amongst titanium alloys, the α+β Ti alloys are the ones with the best compromise between strength and fracture toughness. However, the applicability of α+β Ti alloys is limited by their higher cost compared to other structural metals. Reduction of the cost can be obtained using cheaper alloying elements and creative manufacturing processes. This study aims to investigate if α+β Ti alloys can be produced at lower cost using powder forging and to understand the effect that the post-forging α+β solution treatment and aging have on the microstructure and mechanical properties. We demonstrate that the proposed approach is a viable alternative to manufacture α+β Ti alloys and that the chosen forging temperature (i.e. thermal history) is critical for producing high-strength ductile alloys. The microstructural modification induced by the α+β solution treatment and aging generally increases both the strength and the ductility, but the actual improvement is still dictated by the conditions used to thermomechanically deform the α+β Ti alloy.