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.