Refining prior-β grains of Ti–6Al–4V alloy through yttrium addition

Significant prior-β grain refinement of as-cast Ti–6Al–4V alloy was achieved through additions of yttrium. Microstructural analysis revealed three mechanisms by which yttrium refines the prior-β grains during solidification: solute yttrium provides constitutional supercooling; yttrium scavenges oxygen and forms Y2O3 particles, which pin grain boundaries suppressing grain growth; Y2O3 particles also act as active nucleation sites. Even finer equiaxed grains were achieved through laser surface remelting suggesting that yttrium additions could be an efficient β-Ti grain refiner for the Ti–6Al–4V alloy processed by additive manufacturing. •Significant prior-β grain refinement is achieved in Ti–6Al–4V alloy with 0.4 wt% Y.•The mechanisms of grain refinement are studied.•The orientation relationship of Y2O3 and β-Ti is analysed using E2EM model.•Even finer prior-β grains are achieved in rapid laser remelting processing.