Effect of carbon content on the microstructure and properties of Ti-6Al-4V alloy

The article shows the effect of the increased carbon content on the microstructure and properties of two-phase titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V. Alloys with different carbon content (0.2 and 0.5 wt.%) were produced in vacuum induction furnace with cooper crucible. It was shown that the addition of carbon at the level of 0.2 wt.% increases hardness and strength properties, affects structural stability, results in grain refinement as well as improves creep and oxidation resistance. However, it has a negative effect on plastic deformation. Increasing the carbon content to the 0.5 wt.% causes the further improvement in the creep and oxidation resistance and microstructure refinement of the tested alloys, resulting also in decrease such properties as plasticity, hot deformability and in case of the susceptibility to cold plastic deformation to unacceptable level.