An image analysis study of pit formation on Ti–6Al–4V

Metallographic techniques and digital image processing have been used to investigate heat-treated Ti–6Al–4V pitting corrosion, often used as aircraft components. LM and SEM metallography of ‘as received’, annealed (heating up to 800 °C/30 min and cooling furnace) and aged (heating up to 900 °C/30 min, quenching in water, heating up to 540 °C/240 min and again water-quenched) microstructures reveal pitting sites at primary and secondary α/β interfaces. Microstructural arrangements influence and corrosive environment association on pit morphology could be demonstrated by digital image analysis and results statistical treatment.