A study of process-induced grain structures during steady state and non-steady state electron-beam welding of a titanium alloy

•Steady and non-steady state sections have different weld pool geometries.•Significant difference in cooling rates experienced in the steady and non-steady state sections.•Similar microstructures and textures were observed, while grain sizes are largely varied in steady and non-steady state sections.•Different states lead to a significant difference in measured porosity.•The use of electron beam welding significantly affected the performance of joints.