Pulsing of the welding current is one approach for refining the fusion zone grain structure in α-β titanium alloy welds. This paper reports work in which gas tungsten-arc welds were produced in two α-β titanium alloys under a variety of conditions including direct current (d.c.) pulsing and alternating current (a.c.) pulsing. The results show that, while d.c. pulsing did also refine the weld metal β grain structure, the effect of a.c. pulsing was much greater. Current pulsing enhances fluid flow, reduces temperature gradients and causes a continual change in the weld pool size and shape. These effects, which are believed to be responsible for refining the solidification structure, are much stronger in a.c. pulsing than in d.c. pulsing. The observed grain refinement was shown to result in an appreciable increase in fusion zone tensile ductility. Post-weld heat treatment improved ductility both in pulsed and unpulsed welds, but pulsed welds showed greater tensile elongation even in the heat treated condition. © 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.