Effects of trace erbium addition on microstructure and mechanical properties of TI6Al4V-xEr alloys

Abstract

In order to discern the effect of rare earth element Er addition on grain refinement of the most widely used titanium alloy Ti6Al4V, new erbium modified Ti6Al4V alloys with compositions of Ti6Al4V-xEr (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 wt %) were developed and investigated for their microstructural characteristics and mechanical properties in comparison with their unmodified baseline alloy. Microstructural examinations revealed that, by adding Er, (1) the microstructure primarily retained a two-phase structure consisting of α and β, (2) remarkable grain refining occurred, and (3) some Er2O3 and Al2Er disperses were formed largely around the β phase and near the grain boundaries. Mechanical property measurements evidenced an overall enhancement under tension and hardness tests. An increase in both strength and plasticity with increasing Er content was obtained but followed by a drop, while a gradual monotonous improvement in hardness was achieved. The Ti6Al4V-0.2Er alloy exhibits optimal mechanical properties.