Analysis of the Effect of Heat Treatment and Corrosion Load on the Microstructure and Microhardness of the Ti6Al4V Alloy

In terms of physical and chemical properties, titanium and its alloys are among the most important construction materials today. The Ti6Al4V alloy can be classified among high-strength materials with good plasticity, corrosion resistance and other valuable properties. When performing operations associated with long-term heating of workpieces and parts made of titanium alloys in an air atmosphere, a TiO2 layer is formed on the surface of the product. Ti6Al4V alloy, also known as Ti64, in terms of microstructure is a two-phase alloy formed by α+β solid solutions, which has excellent corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. This alloy is also suitable for jet engines, gas turbines and many aircraft components, as well as in biomedicine. Heat treatment can further improve its technical properties, reduces stress, improves machinability, fracture toughness. The surface of alloys can also be thermally stressed when micro and nano layers of material are applied, which serve to extend the life of products made of this alloy. The presented article analyzes the effect of heat treatment at temperatures of 550 °C and 600 °C and corrosion load with salt fog in the range of 168 to 720 hours on the microstructure and microhardness of the Ti6Al4V alloy.