Microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of Ti-5Al-5Mo-5V-3Cr alloy by heat treatment with continuous temperature gradient

A new high throughput heat-treatment method with a continuous temperature gradient between 600 and 700 °C was utilized on the Ti-5553 alloy (Ti-5Al-5Mo-5V-3Cr, mass fraction, %). The temperature gradient was induced by the variation of the axial section of sample, which was heated by the direct current. The variation of continuous cooling rates on the treated sample was realized by using the end quenching method. The microstructural evolution and mechanical properties under different heat treatment conditions were evaluated. The results show that the pseudo-spinodal decomposition of the alloy occurs at (617±1) °C, and the size of the precipitated α phase is around 300 nm. Moreover, the highest microhardness is obtained after the heat treatment at the pseudo-spinodal decomposition temperature for 4 h. These indicate that the high throughput method is efficient and fast to determine the phase transformation temperature and corresponding microstructural evolution of alloys.