Characterization of Refractory Titanium Alloys Welded by TIG and Laser Processes
Characterization of Refractory Titanium Alloys Welded by TIG and Laser Processes
Characterization of Refractory Titanium Alloys Welded by TIG and Laser Processes
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To cite this version : Ferdinand, Cyrille and Alexis, Joël and Masri, Talal
and Petit, Jacques-Alain and Ganza, Jean-Christophe Characterization of
refractory titanium alloys welded by TIG and laser processes. (2007) In: 11th
World Conference on Titanium, 03 June 2007 - 07 June 2007 (Kyoto, Japan).
Cyrille Ferdinand1-2, Joel Alexis1, Talal Masri1, Jacques-Alain Petit1, Jean-Christophe Ganza2
1
Laboratoire Génie de Production - ENIT, 47 avenue d’Azereix, 65016 Tarbes, France, [email protected]
2
Aeronautical EXAMECA, 64121, Serres-Castet, France
The use of refractory titanium alloys for the components of structure subjected to increasing temperatures is in full expansion in the air transport. Within
the framework of European project HORTIA, aiming to develop and design a conduit of refractory titanium alloy helicopter by associating innovative
processes and the industrial constraints, this work relates to the implementation and characterization of Ti6242 and Beta-21 S welded sheets by TIG and
C02 laser processes. The determination of the mechanical characteristics in connection with the metallurgical transformations relating to the
Ti6242/Ti6242, Beta 2IS /Beta 2lS and Ti6242/Beta2lS assembly configurations allowed a rigorous comparison of the processes and studied materials. The
influence of the heat treatment 600°C/8h on the relations structures/mechanical properties was also studied in order to envisage the behaviour of the
assemblies under the real service use conditions.
Keywords: Refractory Titanium Alloys - TIG and laser process welding - Aeronautical applications - Structure/mechanical properties relationships
Ti6242Si and Beta21S alloys were provided by TIMET 3.1. GTA Welding
Co. After rolling in the Į/ȕ field, Ti6242Si sheets are
recristallized in the Į/ȕ field at 900°C during 30 min, 3.1.1. Rough beads
followed by a second annealing (15 min - 785°C) to Ti6242 GTA weld beads show microhardness values
decrease the size and the proportion of ȕ grains. The increasing from the heat affected zone (360HV), of
microstructure is characterised by equiaxed Į grains (size approximately 3 mm width, until the centre of the fusion
approximately 20 ȝm), with ȕ grains in small quantity zone (400HV). This change is consistent with the
located at the triple points of the Į grain boundaries. The increasing formation of thinner transformed ȕ phase
Beta-21S alloy sheets, with nominal chemical (lamellar Į/ȕ phase) while approaching the fusion line. In
composition Ti-15Mo-3Al-2.8Nb-0.3Fe-0.2Si-0.13O fusion zone (FZ) the Widmanstätten structure leads to an
(weight percent), were provided in the solution heat average hardness of 410 Hv. The ȕ21S heat affected zone
treated condition (843°C – air cooling). The (HAZ) width (4.5 mm) is larger than that of Ti6242. The
microstructure includes ȕ equiaxed grains (size 40 ȝm) hardness is homogeneous along the ȕ21S GTA weld bead
with slight grain boundary alpha layer precipitation. The with an average value of 310 Hv. The enlargement of the
Ti6242 as well as Beta21S were assembled in ȕ grains, which was noted in optical microscopy while
homogeneous and heterogeneous configuration. Prior to approaching the fusion line, does not involve significant
welding, the samples were chemically pickled to remove variations of hardness. In the heterogeneous assembly,
any oxide layers. Autogenous, full penetration automatic ȕ21S base metal and HAZ hardness is the lowest,
whereas the hardness in the Ti6242 HAZ is the most the ex-ȕ grain boundaries), the observation of equiaxed
important. In fusion zone, hardness is overall constant cups at a higher magnification indicates a microscopic
with specific variations due to the composition variations dimple fracture. In ȕ21S/ȕ21S fusion zone, the increase in
in alloy elements. Low hardness, with values ranging ȕ grains size causes a reduction in elongation at fracture
between 315 and 340 Hv, in spite of the smoothness of without generating changes of area reduction. This is
the microstructure, indicates the formation of the Į'' phase confirmed by the dimple fracture similar to the base metal
to cooling. Microtensile transverse tests confirm the one but with larger cups (figure 3b). The mechanical
results of microhardness tests (figure 1). All the ruptures strength is the same as for the base material. In mixed
were localised in base metal, indicating a mechanical ȕ21S/Ti6242 fusion zone, yield stress, microhardness, as
strength of the weld beads higher than that of the base well as elongation at failure, are equal to the average of
metal. The elongation at failure of the welded samples is those of the homogeneous assemblies. The fracture
lower than that of the base materials for identical surface shows broad ductile zones at macroscopic scale
strength. The GTA weld beads have a transverse with some faceted areas. These zones contain equiaxed
lengthening lower than that of the base metal. cups indicating microscopic ductility (figure 3c). The
rupture mode is overall transgranular with partial
intergranular ruptures due to the local presence of soft Į
phase at the ex-ȕ grain boundaries.
REFERENCES
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Toulouse, 2278, 2005.
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Research Supplement 54,73s-79s, 1975.
Ti6242/β21S as-welded Ti6242/β21S heat treated
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Proc. 7th World Conference on Titanium, San Diego, Ed.
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