Method for refining the microstructure of beta processed ingot metallurgy titanium alloy articles

{
  "publication_number": "US5032189A",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A",
  "title": "Method for refining the microstructure of beta processed ingot metallurgy titanium alloy articles",
  "abstract": "Near-alpha and alpha+beta titanium alloy components are produced by a process which comprises the steps of forging an alloy billet to a desired shape at a temperature at or above the beta-transus temperature of the alloy to provide a forged component, heat treating the forged component at a temperature approximately equal to the beta-transus temperature of the alloy, cooling the component at a rate in excess of air cooling to room temperature, annealing the component at a temperature in the approximate range of 10 to 20% below said beta-transus temperature for about 4 to 36 hours, and air cooling the component to room temperature.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A process for fabricating forged near-alpha and alpha+beta titanium alloy components which comprises the steps of (a) forging a near-alpha or alpha+beta titanium alloy billet to a desired shape at a temperature at or above the beta-transus temperature of the alloy to provide a forged component; (b) heat treating the forged component at a temperature approximately equal to the beta-transus temperature of the alloy; (c) cooling said component at a rate in excess of air cooling to room temperature; (d) annealing said component at a temperature in the approximate range of 10 to 20% below said beta-transus temperature for about 4 to 36 hours; and (e) air cooling said component to room temperature.",
    "2. The process of claim 1 wherein said heat treating step (b) is carried out at a temperature ranging from about 5% below to about 10% above said beta-transus temperature for about 10 to 240 minutes.",
    "3. The process of claim 1 wherein said heat treating step (b) is carried out at a temperature ranging from about 0% to 5% above said beta-transus temperature for about 10 to 240 minutes.",
    "4. The process of claim 1 wherein said alloy is Ti-6Al-4V, and wherein said heat treating step (b) is carried out at about 1025° C. for about 20 minutes followed by water quenching."
  ],
  "cpc": [
    "C22C 14/00",
    "C22F 1/183"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "US AIR FORCE"
  ],
  "filing_date": "1990-03-26",
  "publication_date": "1991-07-16",
  "grant_date": "1991-07-16",
  "priority_date": "1990-03-26",
  "application_number": "US-49888190-A",
  "family_id": "23982886",
  "citations": [
    "JPS63230857A",
    "JPS63230858A",
    "JPS63259060A",
    "US4543132A",
    "US4842652A",
    "US4854977A",
    "US4902355A"
  ]
}