A comparative study of laser beam welding and laser–MIG hybrid welding of Ti–Al–Zr–Fe titanium alloy

• Published in: Materials science & engineering. A, Structural materials : properties, microstructure and processing Vol. 528; no. 3; pp. 1138 - 1142
• Main Authors: Li, Ruifeng, Li, Zhuguo, Zhu, Yanyan, Rong, Lei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier B.V 25.01.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Ductility; Exact sciences and technology; Joining, thermal cutting: metallurgical aspects; Joint properties; Laser beam welding; Laser–MIG hybrid welding; Materials science; Metals. Metallurgy; Microhardness; Optical microscopes; Seams; Strength; Titanium base alloys; Ti–Al–Zr–Fe titanium alloy; Welding; Laser beam welding; Laser–MIG hybrid welding; Joint properties; Ti–Al–Zr–Fe titanium alloy; Rupture; Butt joint; Laser-MIG hybrid welding; Ti-Al-Zr-Fe titanium alloy; Microhardness; Laser welding; Titanium base alloys; Tension test; Interface structure; Optical microscopy; Transition metal alloy; Heat affected zone; Microstructure; MIG welding; Bending test
• ISSN: 0921-5093; 1873-4936
• DOI: 10.1016/j.msea.2010.09.084

▶ Ti–Al–Zr–Fe titanium alloy sheets were welded by LBW and LAMIG methods. ▶ LAMIG welded joints have better combination of strength and ductility. ▶ LAMIG welding is proved to be feasible for the production of titanium sheet joints. Ti–Al–Zr–Fe titanium alloy sheets with thickness of 4mm were welded using laser beam welding (LBW) and laser-MIG hybrid welding (LAMIG) methods. To investigate the influence of the methods difference on the joint properties, optical microscope observation, microhardness measurement and mechanical tests were conducted. Experimental results show that the sheets can be welded at a high speed of 1.8m/min and power of 8kW, with no defects such as, surface oxidation, porosity, cracks and lack of penetration in the welding seam. In addition, all tensile test specimens fractured at the parent metal. Compared with the LBW, the LAMIG welding method can produce joints with higher ductility, due to the improvement of seam formation and lower microhardness by employing a low strength TA-10 welding wire. It can be concluded that LAMIG is much more feasible for welding the Ti–Al–Zr–Fe titanium alloy sheets.