Influence of Heat Treatments on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Ti–26Nb Alloy Elaborated In Situ by Laser Additive Manufacturing with Ti and Nb Mixed Powder

In the present work, a Ti–26Nb alloy was elaborated in situ by laser additive manufacturing (LAM) with Ti and Nb mixed powders. The alloys were annealed at temperatures ranging from 650 °C to 925 °C, and the effects of the annealing temperature on the microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated. It has been found that the microstructure of the as-deposited alloy obtained in the present conditions is characterized by columnar prior β grains with a relatively strong <001> fiber texture in the build direction. The as-deposited alloy exhibits extremely high strength, and its ultimate tensile strength and yield strength are about 799 MPa and 768 MPa, respectively. The annealing temperature has significant effects on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the alloys. Annealing treatment can promote the dissolution of unmelted Nb particles and eliminate the micro-segregation of Nb at the elliptical-shaped grain boundaries, while increasing the grain size of the alloy. With an increase in annealing temperature, the strength of the alloy decreases but the ductility increases. The alloy annealed at 850 °C exhibits a balance of strength and ductility.