Peak temperatures during friction stir welding of Ti–6Al–4V

Abstract

Experimental measurements were made to determine the peak temperatures during friction stir welding of Ti–6Al–4V alloy as a function of the processing conditions such as tool rotation speed and feedrate. It was found that the spindle speed has a dominant effect on peak temperatures, while feedrate controls exposure time. Low spindle speed conditions lead to peak temperatures near, or below, the beta transus temperature of the material, 1000°C (1800°F), while high spindle speed welds result in peak temperatures above 1200°C (2100°F). Weld microstructures were also evaluated as a function of the weld parameters. Higher spindle speeds and lower federate lead to increased grain size.     

Stitch welding of Ti–6Al–4V titanium alloy by fiber laser

Stitch welding of plate covered skeleton structure of Ti–6Al–4V titanium alloys has a variety of applications in aerospace vehicle manufacture. The laser stitch welding of Ti–6Al–4V titanium alloys was carried out by a 4 kW ROFIN fiber laser. Influences of laser welding parameters on the macroscopic geometry, porosity, microstructure and mechanical properties of the stitch welded seams were investigated by digital microscope, optical microscope, scanning electron microscope and universal tensile testing machine. The results showed that the three-pipe nozzle with gas flow rate larger than 5 L/min could avoid oxidization, presenting better shielding effect in comparison with the single-pipe nozzle. Porosity formation could be suppressed with the gap between plate and skeleton less than 0.1 mm, while the existing porosity can be reduced with remelting. The maximum shear strength of stitch welding joint with minimal porosity was obtained by employing laser power of 1700 W, welding speed of 1.5 m/min and defocusing distance of +8 mm.     

Impact of surface state in probeless friction stir spot welding of an Al–Li alloy

ABSTRACT

Sheets of AA2198 alloy with various surface conditions were welded with probeless friction stir spot welding (P-FSSW). Results show that the oxide layer on the original lap-weld surface produces continuously distributed oxide impurities at the interface of the P-FSSWed joint with a large amount of voids. The visual flow at the interface provides a persuasive explanation of local preferential abrasion. Following surface grinding, local abrasion increases with surface roughness and results in the dispersion of voids and oxides, which contributes to the improvement of metallurgical connection. The corresponding mechanical strength of the P-FSSWed joints shows a relatively significant increase, while the fracture mode remains affected by the hook defect regardless of the surface state.     

3D modelling of Ti–6Al–4V linear friction welds

Linear friction welding (LFW) is a solid-state joining process that significantly reduces manufacturing costs when fabricating Ti–6Al–4V aircraft components. This article describes the development of a novel 3D LFW process model for joining Ti–6Al–4V. Displacement histories were taken from experiments and used as modelling inputs; herein is the novelty of the approach, which resulted in decreased computational time and memory storage requirements. In general, the models captured the experimental weld phenomena and showed that the thermo-mechanically affected zone and interface temperature are reduced when the workpieces are oscillated along the shorter of the two interface contact dimensions. Moreover, the models showed that unbonded regions occur at the corners of the weld interface, which are eliminated by increasing the burn-off.     

Realising equal strength welding to parent metal in precipitation-hardened Al–Mg–Si alloy via low heat input friction stir welding

Two millimetres thick Al–Mg–Si (6061Al-T6) alloy plates were friction stir welded at various welding conditions. Under a low rotation rate of 400?rev?min^–1 with rapid water cooling, the softening zone in the joint disappeared and a nanostructure with an average grain size of 80?nm was obtained in the stir zone (SZ). Therefore, a weld with equal strength to the parent metal (PM) was successfully achieved with the fracture occurring in the PM. Further, the average microhardness and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of the SZs increased with the decreasing rotation rate and increasing cooling speed. The average microhardness and UTS of the SZ with nanostructure reached up to 134?HV and 505?MPa, respectively; though the initial strengthened precipitates disappeared. This work provides an effective strategy of achieving high property joints and enhancing the mechanical properties of precipitation-hardened Al alloys.     

Enhancing metallurgical and mechanical properties of friction stir lap welding of Al–Cu using intermediate layer

Abstract

In this paper, the material behaviour and mechanical characteristics of lap joint friction stir welding (FSW) between dissimilar alloys, namely, Cu and Al, is investigated. In order to produce welds of a higher quality, a layer of Cu is anodised on the aluminium alloy. The mechanical and the microstructural characterisations are performed on the welds, which are produced using various welding parameters. Scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy is used to identify the elemental compositions of phases that are formed. The results reveal that the use of the copper anodised layer prevented formation of brittle intermetallic compounds due to the direct FSW of 6061 aluminium alloy to copper and, as a result, enhanced the weld metallurgical and mechanical properties.     

Mechanisms of joining aluminium A6061-T6 and titanium Ti–6Al–4V alloys by cold metal transfer technology

Abstract

Cold metal transfer (CMT) welding–brazing joining of Ti6Al4V and Al A6061-T6 was carried out using AlSi₅ wire. The joining mechanisms and mechanical properties of the joints were identified and characterised by scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive spectroscopy and tensile–shear tests. Desired CMT joints with satisfied weld appearances and mechanical properties were achieved by overlapping Ti on the top of Al. The joints had dual characteristics of a welding joint on the aluminium side and a brazing joint on the titanium side. Three brazing interfaces were formed for the joint, which increased the strength of the joint. An intermetallic compound layer was formed at the brazing interface, which included Ti₃Al, TiAl and TiAl₃. Two different fracture modes were also observed: one fractured at the welding/brazing interface and weld metal and the other at the Al heat affected zone (HAZ). Clearly, the joints fractured at the Al HAZ had higher tensile strength than those fractured at the welding/brazing interface and weld metal.     

Low cyclic fatigue behavior of electron-beam-welded Ti–6Al–4V titanium joint

The low cycle fatigue(LCF) tests were carried out using symmetrical cyclic loading under total strain amplitude control conditions.The present paper is devoted to investigating the cyclic deformation response of Ti–6Al–4V titanium and the electron-beam-welded(EBW) joint in the following aspects,i.e.,cyclic deformation behavior,fatigue life and fatigue fracture behavior.The results show that the softening of the joint is significant at larger strain ranges,while not obvious at smaller strain ranges.The joint shows shorter fatigue life at larger strain ranges and equivalent fatigue life at smaller strain ranges compared with Ti–6Al–4V base metal.A fatigue crack of the joint not only originates at the surface or subsurface,but also at defects in the fusion zone(FZ).The crack propagation zone of Ti–6Al–4V base metal shows ductile fracture mechanism,while the joint shows brittle fracture mechanism.In all the fatigue fracture zones many dimples appear,showing the typical ductile fracture.     

Effect of welding processes on joint characteristics of Ti–6Al–4V alloy

Abstract

Although Ti–6Al–4V alloys show reasonable weldability characteristics, the joint properties are greatly influenced by the welding processes. Microstructures and tensile and impact properties of welded Ti–6Al–4V alloy were evaluated for high vacuum electron beam welding, CO₂ laser beam welding and gas tungsten arc welding. The resultant tensile and impact properties of the welded joints are correlated with the weld metal microstructure and hardness. The results indicate that the electron beam welding is more suitable for Ti–6Al–4V sheet welding and the welding seam without defects can be obtained. The full penetration butt welds are obtained by gas tungsten arc welding process, but they have many drawbacks such as wide weld seam, big deformation and coarse grains. Laser beam welding has many advantages such as the narrowest weld seam, the least deformation and the finest grains, but it should be studied again for the reasons of unstable welding technologies and strict condition.     

Optimization of Ti6Al4V titanium alloy laser–arc hybrid weld parameters

This article reports the results of a study aimed at using statistical methods to optimize the parameters for laser–arc hybrid butt welding of Ti6Al4V titanium alloy sheets with a thickness of 3.0 mm. The study has examined the effects of the hybrid welding process parameters, such as laser beam power, arc pulse frequency, arc length, arc current, wire speed, laser and arc relative positions, and weld speed. Microstructure has been studied using light microscopy and morphological analysis of weld bead cross sections. This article reports the results of energy and morphological tests.     

Cyclic Oxidation Behavior of the Ti–6Al–4V Alloy

The cyclic oxidation behavior of the Ti–6Al–4V alloy has been studied under heating and cooling conditions within a temperature range from 550 to 850 °C in air for up to 12 cycles. The mass changes, phase, surface morphologies, cross-sectional morphologies and element distribution of the oxide scales after cyclic oxidation were investigated using electronic microbalance, X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The results show that the rate of oxidation was close to zero at 550 °C, obeyed parabolic and linear law at 650 and 850 °C, respectively, while at 750 °C, parabolic—linear law dominated. The double oxide scales formed on surface of the Ti–6Al–4V alloy consisted of an inner layer of TiO₂ and an outer layer of Al₂O₃, and the thickness of oxide scales increased with an increasing oxidation temperature. At 750 and 850 °C, the cyclic oxidation resistance deteriorated owing to the formation of voids, cracks and the spallation of the oxide scales.     

Tensile properties and failure analysis of Ti–6Al–4V joints by electron beam welding

The microstructural and mechanical characterization of electron beam welded joints of forged Ti–6Al–4V were investigated. Microhardness tests indicate that the hardness of the fusion zone(FZ) is higher than that of the heat-affected zone(HAZ) and base metal. The tensile results show that the mechanical properties of the welded joints are comparable with those of the base metal in terms of static strength and are in accordance with the relationship between microstructure and mechanical properties of welded joints. The ultimate tensile strength of the weld is equal to that of the hourglass joint, which indicates that the mechanical properties of the longitudinal FZ and those of the transverse FZ are the same. Macromechanical behavior and macrofracture and microfracture of the base material,joint, and weld specimens are observed. A comparison among the three types of specimen fracture phenomena reveals the following distinctive differences:(1) the fracture mode,(2) the micrograph of the dimple pattern at the central region, and(3) the size of the dimple at the central region and the transition region.     

Physical simulation of microstructural evolution in linear friction welded joints of Ti–6Al–4V alloy

Abstract

The novel shear compression specimen was used to simulate the microstructural evolution in linear friction welding joints of Ti–6Al–4V alloy. Similar formation mechanisms of microstructures and microtextures were found in the linear friction welding joints and shear compression specimen. Accordingly, the shear compression test was proved to simulate the microstructural evolution and the thermomechanical conditions that occurred in linear friction welding joint. Furthermore, the strain rate in linear friction welding was estimated to exceed the value of 70?s^??1.     

Mechanical properties of friction welded joint between Ti–6Al–4V alloy and Al–Mg alloy (AA5052)

Abstract

The present paper describes the mechanical properties of a friction welded joint between Ti–6Al–4V alloy and Al–Mg alloy (AA5052). The Ti–6Al–4V/AA5052–H112 joint, made at a friction speed of 27.5 rev s^?1, friction pressure of 30 MPa, friction time of 3.0 s, and forge pressure of 60 MPa, had 100% joint efficiency and fractured in the AA5052–H112 base metal. The Ti–6Al–4V/AA5052–H34 joint, made under the same friction welding conditions, did not achieve 100% joint efficiency and it fractured in the AA5052–H34 base metal because the AA5052–H34 base metal had softened under friction heating. The joints made at low friction speed or using short friction time showed fracture at the welded interface because a sufficient quantity of heat for welding could not be produced. However, the joints made at high friction speed or using long friction time were also fractured at the welded interface: in this instance, the welded interface also had an intermetallic compound layer consisting of Ti₂Mg₃Al₁₈. The Ti–6Al–4V/AA5052–H34 joint made at a friction speed of 27.5 rev s^?1 with friction pressure of 150 MPa, friction time of 0.5 s, and forge pressure of 275 MPa had 100% joint efficiency and fractured in the AA5052–H34 base metal, although the AA5052–H34 side softened slightly. In conclusion, the Ti–6Al–4V/AA5052–H112 joint and Ti–6Al–4V/AA5052–H34 joint had 100% joint efficiency and fractured in the AA5052 base metal when made under the friction welding conditions described above.     

Fatigue in Ti–6Al–4V–B alloys

The addition of small amounts of B to Ti–6Al–4V alloy reduces the as-cast grain size by an order of magnitude and introduces TiB phase into the microstructure. The effects of these microstructural modifications on both the high cycle fatigue and cyclic stress–strain response were investigated. Experimental results show that B addition markedly enhances the fatigue strength of the alloy; however, the influence of prior-β grain size was found to be only marginal. The presence of TiB particles in the matrix appears to be beneficial with the addition of 0.55 wt.% B to Ti–6Al–4V enhancing the fatigue strength by more than 50%. Strain-controlled fatigue experiments reveal softening in the cyclic stress–strain response, which increases with the B content in the alloy. Transmission electron microscopy of the fatigued specimens indicates that generation of dislocations during cyclic loading and creation of twins due to strain incompatibility between the matrix and the TiB phase are possible reasons for the observed softening.     

High tensile ductility of Ti-based amorphous matrix composites modified from conventional Ti–6Al–4V titanium alloy

Three Ti-based amorphous matrix composites containing ductile dendrites were fabricated by adding alloying elements of Ti, Zr, V, Ni, Al and Be into a conventional Ti–6Al–4V alloy, and the deformation mechanisms related to the improvement of tensile ductility were investigated by focusing on how the effective size of ductile dendrites affected the initiation and propagation of deformation bands or shear bands. The composites contained ～73–76 vol.% dendrites ～63–103 μm in size, and had excellent tensile properties with a yield strength of over 1.3 GPa and an elongation of over 7%. In the composite containing very large dendrites, deformation bands were formed at dendrites in the same direction. In the composite containing small dendrites, however, many deformation bands were actively formed inside dendrites in the several directions, and cross each other to form widely deformed areas. This wide and homogeneous deformation in both dendrites and amorphous matrix enhances the tensile ductility, resulting in high strength and elongation occurring simultaneously. In order to theoretically explain the enhanced tensile ductility, a finite-element method (FEM) analysis based on the real microstructures considering dendrite crystal orientations was performed. The FEM simulation results of deformation bands or shear bands were in good agreement with the experimental findings. The reasons for such a good match between the simulation and experimental results are discussed in detail.     

Circumferential welding of gas pipeline pipes using hybrid technology with fibre-delivered LASER beamPaper presented at the 4th National Welding Day,Workshop: “New frontiers in LASER beam welding,friction stir welding and electron beam welding processes” Genova, 25–26 October 2007.

In reducing the costs associated with the fabrication of new pipelines for transporting hydrocarbons (pipelines), circumferential joint welding activities have a significant impact on total cost per km.

LASER–MIG hybrid welding (LB–GMAW), with fibre-optic LASER beam delivery, offers the opportunity for reducing fabrication costs, thanks to increased productivity, despite the higher initial investment. The aim of this work is to demonstrate the feasibility of pipeline fabrication using LB–GMAW hybrid welding technology for the circumferential welding of large diameter pipes (36″) for gas pipelines, on X100 high-grade steel with nominal thickness of 16 mm.

Solid-state LASER systems with fibre-delivered LASER beam (Nd:YAG and Yb:SiO₂) have been used in this study. The hybrid welding system has been shown to be of potential interest since, by guaranteeing adequate mechanical properties, it ensures increased productivity (reduced number of passes and increased welding speed).

     

Improving the tribological properties of Ti–6Al–4V alloy by nitrogen-ion implantation

The tribological properties of N⁺₂-ion-implanted Ti alloy (Ti–6Al–4V) were studied by performing lubricated ball-on-disk tests against steel balls. The friction coefficients of N⁺₂-ion-implanted disks ranged from 0.05 to 0.2, which were lower than that of the unimplanted disk. N⁺₂-ion implantation reduced the volumetric wear rate of the disks as well as that of the steel balls. Moreover, the seizure limit of N⁺₂-ion-implanted disk was increased. These improvements were remarkable for doses above 2.5×10¹⁷ ions cm⁻². However, N⁺₂-ion implantation did not monotonously improve the tribological properties with increasing ion dose. The results were not simply attributed to an increase in the surface microhardness by N⁺₂-ion implantation. Surface analysis revealed that the structure consisted of titanium oxide on titanium, and titanium nitrides were formed by N⁺₂-ion implantation. The observed transition in the tribological properties of Ti–6Al–4V alloy was discussed in terms of surface structure produced by N⁺₂-ion implantation.     

Improvement of joint strength in dissimilar friction welding of Ti-6Al-4V alloy to type-718 nickel-based alloy using the Au–Ni interlayer

ABSTRACT

An Au–Ni interlayer was used to improve the joint strength between the Ti-6Al-4V alloy friction welded to the 718 Ni-based alloy. The interlayer was melted and ejected at the interface of the joint during friction welding, showing that frictional heat played a role in brazing of the interlayer. The melted interlayer suppressed the formation of intermetallic compounds between titanium and nickel at the interface. The tensile strength of the joint significantly increased from 460?MPa for direct friction-welded joints, to 698?MPa when the interlayer was added. The mechanism underlying the strength improvement of the friction-welded joint was the unique phenomenon of a combination of brazing of the interlayer and diffusion of solutes in the base metal to the interlayer.