Forging–microstructure–tensile properties correlation in a new near β high-strength titanium alloy

Abstract: Microstructures and tensile properties of a new β high-strength titanium alloy Ti-5321 (Ti–5Al–3Mo–3V–2Zr–2Cr–1Nb–1Fe) were investigated in this study. Four microstructures, including equiaxed microstructure (EM), bimodal microstructure (BM), basket-weave microstructure (WM) and lamellar microstructure (LM), were tailored by changing the forging process, and the influences of different microstructures on tensile properties were also analyzed. The results indicated that Ti-5321 exhibits a better combination of strength and ductility, compared to Ti-5553, Ti-1023, BT22 and Ti15-3. The ultimate tensile strength, total elongation and reduction in area could be achieved in a range of 1200–1300 MPa, 10%–15% and 40%–60%, respectively. The influences of variant selection on the tensile properties in Ti-5321 alloy were also analyzed. After β forging and solution treatment, α phase maintained strictly Burgers orientation relation with adjacent β phase. Morphological features of the fractography in BM and LM were also explored to further explain the tensile properties and the fracture mode of Ti-5321 alloy. Graphic abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]