Texture evolution during α-forging of γ-TiAl alloys

Four γ-TiAl alloys; Ti-47.0Al-2.0Cr-2.5Nb-0.21W-0.12B, Ti-46.8Al-2.0Cr-4.0Nb-0.30B, Ti-47.0Al-1.7Cr-2.4Nb-0.16W and Ti-46.3Al-1.8Cr-3.0Nb-0.26W-0.2Si-0.10B were forged within the α-phase field (α-forging) to study the possibility of obtaining aligned microstructures. Pole figures from two locations within each forged plate (near the center and at the rim) were measured and the crystal orientation distribution functions (CODF's) were calculated to evaluate texture evolution during α-forging. A general trend toward the formation of a {011}〈uvw〉 fiber texture was observed for all four alloys. The orientation density distribution along the {011}〈uvw〉 fiber texture was found to depend on the alloy, the forging temperature and the radial location within the forged plates. Some scattered individual texture components, which were different in each alloy, were also observed. The observed textures are correlated to the deformation responses of the alloys during α-forging.