Interface microstructures in the diffusion bonding of a titanium alloy Ti 6242 to an INCONEL 625

A Ti6242 alloy has been diffusion bonded to a superalloy INCONEL 625. The microstructures of the as-processed products have been analyzed using optical metallography, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) techniques. The interdiffusion of the different elements through the interface has been determined using energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) microanalysis in both a SEM and a STEM. Several regions around the original interface have been observed. Starting from the superalloy INCONEL 625, first a sigma phase (Cr₄Ni₃Mo₂), followed by several phases like NbNi₃, Ŋ/Ni₃Ti, Cr(20 pct Mo), β Cr₂Ti, NiTi, TiO, TiNi, and Ti₂Ni intermetallics, just before the Ti6242 have been identified. Because the diffusion of Ni in Ti is faster than the diffusion of Ti in the superalloy, a Kirkendall effect was produced. The sequence of formation of the different phases were in agreement with the ternary Ti-Cr-Ni diagram.