Metallurgical aspects of joining commercially pure titanium to Ti-6Al-4V alloy in a T-joint configuration by laser beam welding

Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

Authors

  • Fedor Fomin
  • Martin Frönd
  • Volker Ventzke
  • Pedro Alvarez
  • Stefan Bauer
  • Nikolai Kashaev

The present paper focuses on the metallurgical and microstructural characterization of the laser beam-welded T-joints between commercially pure titanium (CP-Ti) and Ti-6Al-4V alloy. The weld regions were comprehensively studied and the mechanisms leading to the final morphology within each weld region were described. The link between microstructural features and local mechanical properties was demonstrated. Owing to different constitution, the responses of the two titanium alloys to thermal cycles imposed by laser welding are completely different. A strong interface with no dilution zone between the two alloys was observed. The cooling rate during the welding process is high enough for diffusionless martensitic transformation in the Ti-6Al-4V part of the fusion zone. In contrast, no evidence of martensite was found in the CP-Ti because of low solute content and, consequently, much higher critical cooling rate. Plausible reason for some controversy found in the literature on the resulting transformation products after laser processing of CP-Ti was given. The present findings might have important industrial implications because careful microstructural characterization revealed the real position of the skin fusion line, which is of great importance for fulfillment of the weld quality criteria. [Figure not available: see fulltext.].

Original languageEnglish
JournalThe International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology
Volume97
Issue number5-8
Pages (from-to)2019-2031
Number of pages13
ISSN0268-3768
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01.07.2018

Bibliographical note

Funding information This work was carried out within the framework of an EU Project and was funded by the European Union (Clean Sky 2 EU-JTI Platform) under the thematic call JTI-CS2-2014-CFP01-LPA-01-03 “Development of advanced laser based technologies for the manufacturing of titanium HLFC structures/DELASTI” (grant agreement no: 687088).

    Research areas

  • Engineering - EBSD, Laser beam welding, Microstructure, T-Joint, Titanium alloys
  • EBSD, Laser beam welding, Microstructure, T-joint, Titanium alloys