Effect of heat treatment on microstructures and mechanical properties of a Ti-6Al-4V alloy rod prepared by powder compact extrusion

Abstract

In this paper, Ti-6Al-4V alloy rods were manufactured by the powder compact extrusion of a powder mixture of hydride–dehydride (HDH) titanium powder, elemental aluminum powder and master alloy powder. Extrusions were carried out at 1300°C and with a holding time of 5 min in an argon atmosphere. The effects of different heat treatments (HT1: 960°C/1 h, water quenching, HT2: 960°C/1 h, water quenching + 500°C/6 h, air cooling, HT3: 850°C/2 h, furnace cooling to 540°C, then air cooling) on the microstructure and mechanical properties of as-extruded Ti-6Al-4V alloy rods were investigated. The results showed that a homogeneous microstructure, composed of a lamellar structure with a grain size range of 40–60 μm, was produced by powder compact extrusion of a powder mixture. The mechanical properties achieved were an ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 1254 MPa, a yield strength (YS) of 1216 MPa and 8% ductility. After quenching at 960°C and with a holding time of 1 h, the UTS and YS of the heat treated Ti-6Al-4V alloy rod were increased to 1324 MPa and 1290 MPa, and the ductility was increased to 12%. After HT2, the UTS and YS of the heat treated Ti-6Al-4V alloy rod were significantly increased to 1436 MPa and 1400 MPa, but the ductility decreased to 4%. After HT3, the mechanical properties of the heat treated Ti-6Al-4V alloy rod were slightly decreased to give a UTS of 1213 MPa and a YS of 1180 MPa, with an increase in ductility to 11%. The microstructural changes of as-extruded Ti-6Al-4V alloy rods were also investigated for the different heat treatments.