Study on Laser Overlap Welding of Titanium/Aluminum Dissimilar Metals Based on Niobium Microalloying

Brittle intermetallic compounds, formed during the welding process of titanium/aluminum (Ti/Al), lead to a significant reduction in joint mechanical properties. The purpose of this study is to mitigate the formation of brittle phases during the laser welding of dissimilar Ti/Al metals, thereby enhan...

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Main Authors: Hao Pan, Yue Wang, Shaoning Geng, Annan Yin, Chu Han, Jintian Zhao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-07-01
Series:Metals
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/13/7/1257
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author Hao Pan
Yue Wang
Shaoning Geng
Annan Yin
Chu Han
Jintian Zhao
author_facet Hao Pan
Yue Wang
Shaoning Geng
Annan Yin
Chu Han
Jintian Zhao
author_sort Hao Pan
collection DOAJ
description Brittle intermetallic compounds, formed during the welding process of titanium/aluminum (Ti/Al), lead to a significant reduction in joint mechanical properties. The purpose of this study is to mitigate the formation of brittle phases during the laser welding of dissimilar Ti/Al metals, thereby enhancing the mechanical properties of the joints. In this investigation, an innovative approach is adopted, utilizing Nb foil as an interlayer to effectively minimize the formation of brittle intermetallic phases during dissimilar welding. A comprehensive analysis of the microstructure of the transition layer was conducted using material characterization methods, including scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer. The mechanical performance of the welded joints was assessed using tensile testing. The results indicate that the effective welding width and joint penetration depth at the joint interface were reduced in Ti/Al dissimilar metals when Nb was added as an intermediate layer, under the same welding process parameters, when compared to unalloyed weld seams. Furthermore, the utilization of a 0.05 mm Nb foil as the intermediate layer results in a significant 25% increase in the average shear strength compared to the other condition, with the average shear strength of the joint reaching its peak value at 192 N/mm. The unalloyed Ti/Al weld joint usually fractured along the melting zone, displaying complete brittle fracture characteristics. After Nb microalloying, the joint typically fractures along the transition zone and interface, exhibiting both cleavage and ductile fracture characteristics, indicating the combination of a brittle and toughness fracture. This study provides experimental evidence and new insights for welding Ti/Al composite structures, with significant theoretical and practical applications.
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spelling doaj.art-a3b9ef09fec24b3192a9e01288c5feab2023-11-18T20:30:09ZengMDPI AGMetals2075-47012023-07-01137125710.3390/met13071257Study on Laser Overlap Welding of Titanium/Aluminum Dissimilar Metals Based on Niobium MicroalloyingHao Pan0Yue Wang1Shaoning Geng2Annan Yin3Chu Han4Jintian Zhao5Beijing Institute of Space Mechanics & Electricity, Beijing 100094, ChinaBeijing Institute of Space Mechanics & Electricity, Beijing 100094, ChinaThe State Key Laboratory of Digital Manufacturing Equipment and Technology, School of Mechanical Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan 430074, ChinaThe State Key Laboratory of Digital Manufacturing Equipment and Technology, School of Mechanical Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan 430074, ChinaThe State Key Laboratory of Digital Manufacturing Equipment and Technology, School of Mechanical Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan 430074, ChinaThe State Key Laboratory of Digital Manufacturing Equipment and Technology, School of Mechanical Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan 430074, ChinaBrittle intermetallic compounds, formed during the welding process of titanium/aluminum (Ti/Al), lead to a significant reduction in joint mechanical properties. The purpose of this study is to mitigate the formation of brittle phases during the laser welding of dissimilar Ti/Al metals, thereby enhancing the mechanical properties of the joints. In this investigation, an innovative approach is adopted, utilizing Nb foil as an interlayer to effectively minimize the formation of brittle intermetallic phases during dissimilar welding. A comprehensive analysis of the microstructure of the transition layer was conducted using material characterization methods, including scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer. The mechanical performance of the welded joints was assessed using tensile testing. The results indicate that the effective welding width and joint penetration depth at the joint interface were reduced in Ti/Al dissimilar metals when Nb was added as an intermediate layer, under the same welding process parameters, when compared to unalloyed weld seams. Furthermore, the utilization of a 0.05 mm Nb foil as the intermediate layer results in a significant 25% increase in the average shear strength compared to the other condition, with the average shear strength of the joint reaching its peak value at 192 N/mm. The unalloyed Ti/Al weld joint usually fractured along the melting zone, displaying complete brittle fracture characteristics. After Nb microalloying, the joint typically fractures along the transition zone and interface, exhibiting both cleavage and ductile fracture characteristics, indicating the combination of a brittle and toughness fracture. This study provides experimental evidence and new insights for welding Ti/Al composite structures, with significant theoretical and practical applications.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/13/7/1257laser overlap weldingtitanium/aluminum dissimilar metalsniobium microalloyingmicrostructures and mechanical propertiesfracture characteristic
spellingShingle Hao Pan
Yue Wang
Shaoning Geng
Annan Yin
Chu Han
Jintian Zhao
Study on Laser Overlap Welding of Titanium/Aluminum Dissimilar Metals Based on Niobium Microalloying
Metals
laser overlap welding
titanium/aluminum dissimilar metals
niobium microalloying
microstructures and mechanical properties
fracture characteristic
title Study on Laser Overlap Welding of Titanium/Aluminum Dissimilar Metals Based on Niobium Microalloying
title_full Study on Laser Overlap Welding of Titanium/Aluminum Dissimilar Metals Based on Niobium Microalloying
title_fullStr Study on Laser Overlap Welding of Titanium/Aluminum Dissimilar Metals Based on Niobium Microalloying
title_full_unstemmed Study on Laser Overlap Welding of Titanium/Aluminum Dissimilar Metals Based on Niobium Microalloying
title_short Study on Laser Overlap Welding of Titanium/Aluminum Dissimilar Metals Based on Niobium Microalloying
title_sort study on laser overlap welding of titanium aluminum dissimilar metals based on niobium microalloying
topic laser overlap welding
titanium/aluminum dissimilar metals
niobium microalloying
microstructures and mechanical properties
fracture characteristic
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/13/7/1257
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