Development of methods for the quantification of microstructural features in α + β-processed α/β titanium alloys

A set of stereological procedures has been developed for the rigorous quantification of microstructural features resolvable using scanning electron microscopy in α + β-processed α/β titanium alloys. This paper identifies the four microstructural features that most likely influence the mechanical properties in α + β-processed titanium alloy, including: the size of the equiaxed alpha, the volume fraction of the equiaxed alpha, the volume fraction of total alpha, and the thickness of the Widmanstätten alpha laths. The details regarding the quantification methodologies are provided, as are the origins of the associated uncertainties.