Effect of Heat Treatment Conditions on the Mechanical Properties and Machinability of Ti15SnxCu Alloys

Abstract In the current work, the microstructure, mechanical properties and machinability of Ti15SnxCu alloys (x = 0 to 2 wt. %) were investigated. The alloy was prepared by the vacuum arc remelting and casting route and then thermally processed by solutionizing at 1000 °C for 2 hours, followed by water quenching. By controlling the heat-treated condition and Cu content, the highest bending strength and modulus were obtained from three-point bending testing. The increases were mainly caused by the strengthening effects of the formation of crystallites with fine grain size and nano-Ti2Cu precipitate phase. In addition, nano-Ti2Cu precipitation was caused by crack initiation and propagation, which reduced the ductility and improved the machinability of Ti15Sn2Cu alloy.