A phase-field model for simulating the growth of α sideplates with branching in titanium alloys

•A phase-field model for simulating the growth of α sideplates with branching during the cooling process in titanium alloys was developed.•A special interface anisotropy function with non-symmetry was employed to reproduce the forking behavior of α sideplates.•The phase-field simulation reveals the evolution of α sideplates with branching and alloying element partition, the simulations are in good agreement with the experimental verifications.A phase-field model for simulating the growth of α sideplates with branching during the cooling process in titanium alloys was developed. The interfacial energy anisotropy and alloying element partition were taken into account in the model. A special interface anisotropy function with non-symmetry was employed to reproduce the forking behavior of α sideplates. It was found that the enrichment of β stabilizing element in the local regions prevents the interconnection of α laths with the same crystal orientation. The present model reveals the contributions of interfacial energy anisotropy and alloying element partition during the growth and evolution of the Widmanstätten colony including branching structure with the same crystal orientation. The simulations are in good agreement with the experimental verifications. The findings may shed light on the understanding of the microstructure evolution with α branching in titanium alloys.