In situ observation of texture and microstructure evolution during rolling and globularization of Ti-6Al-4V

The evolution of texture in β-annealed Ti-6Al-4V during α-β rolling and so-called recrystallization annealing has been examined using synchrotron X-ray diffraction and ex situ characterization. During rolling, the initial α (0 0 0 2) texture softens and the colony α becomes kinked. During globularization, the texture strengthens as highly strained (and hence misoriented) areas of the laths disappear and this strengthening continues once coarsening of the primary α becomes dominant. At shorter heat treatment times the αs laths that form on cooling do so with a range of variant-related orientations to the β, but at longer annealing times this αs takes on the orientation of the surrounding αp. The implications for the mechanical performance of macrozone-containing bimodal Ti-6Al-4V material are discussed. © 2012 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.