Potential of rapid heat treatment of titanium alloys and steels

Rapid heat treatment (RHT) of titanium alloys and steels, which includes rapid heating into the single-phase field, β and γ of titanium alloys and steels, respectively, is reviewed. Heating rate is an important parameter that affects the mechanism and kinetics of phase and/or structural transformation. Refinement of grain structure, formation of micro-chemical inhomogeneity and substructure in the high temperature phase following RHT are addressed. Thermo–kinetic effects during rapid heating of material with an initial metastable (quenched or deformed) microstructure are discussed. The response of titanium alloys and steels to RHT is compared. The improvement in mechanical properties of both material system following RHT is also presented.