Alpha case in Ti6Al-4V flat washer

[MiguelD38]

I have a flat washer made of Ti6Al-4V, alpha case is induced during the process on the outer diameter to a total depth of 0.003"
How critical is this condition on the washer to the joining application and performance.
My personal opinion is none, since the washer is just distributing the load of the bolt, general speaking inside out of the washer, I would think, which will mostly be compressive and minim tension to the outer surface of the washer, and I would think this will not affect in any way the general performance and mechanical properties of the bolt itself and/or the assembly. I am not an expert in joining please need some reassurance to this analogy of joining application. metallurgically speaking the alpha case is not detrimental in this part as long as there is not direct stress on the this layer. which I don't think there is for this particular product.

 

[TVP]

Is this washer being manufactured according to an industry or customer specification? Do they allow for alpha case on the final part? Is there a reason why these parts can't be chemically milled or otherwise processed to remove the alpha case?