Mechanical properties and microstructure of a Ti-6Al-4V alloy by metal injection molding

Ti-6Al-4V compacts were prepared by metal injection molding and binders in the compacts were debound by solvent debinding and heat debinding. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the alloy under the conditions of vacuum sintering and hot isostatic pressing (HIP) sintering were investigated. The results showed the specimens by vacuum sintering had a typical Widmannstatten microstructure, which possessed coarser prior β-grains and secondary platelet α+β-phase, but the alloy had a more microporosity and a lower tensile strength and ductility. After HIP treatment, prior β-grains and secondary platelet α+β-phase became fine and uniform, and the alloy possessed a less microporosity and a higher tensile strength and ductility.