Microstructure and property of the Ti-24Al-15Nb-1.5Mo/TC11 joint welded by electron beam welding

The Ti-24Al-15Nb-1.5Mo alloy, in the as-forged and heat-treated states, was joined to the as-forged TC 11 titanium alloy by electron beam welding with the heat inputs of 135 and 150 kJ/m. Then the microstructure and property of the Ti-24Al-15Nb- 1.5Mo/TC 11 welding interface were investigated. The results show that the phase constitution of the weld is not related to the heat input, and is mainly composed of α＇ phase. Moreover, the intermetallic phases of TiEAlNb, MoNb, NbaAl, and TiAl3 are formed in the weld zone. Therefore, the microhardness value of the weld zone is higher than that of the other portions in the same sample. The profile of the weld is asymmetrically fimnel-like. The grain sizes of the weld and its heat-affected zones are increased with increasing heat input. There is an obvious difference in the element content of the welding interface; only the alloying elements in the fusion zone reach a new balance during solidification.

Electron beam welding of Re and BT5-1 titanium alloy

Based on the binary alloy phase diagram of Re-Ti, the weldability of Re and BT5-1 titanium alloy was analyzed. Using two methods of direct electron beam welding （EBW-D） and intergradafion electron beam welding （EBW-I）, Re and BT5-1 was welded. Experimental results show that the joint figuration of EBW-D between Re and BT5-1 is not fine, and the joint is inclined to brittleness rupture. The joint figuration of EBW-I between Re and BT5-1 is fine. No cracking and other disfigures occur in the intergradation joint. The element distribution of Re, Me, and Ti in the weld metal is progressional diversification.

A survey on future research about electron beam welding for aerospace applications

Electron beam welding plays an important role in the aerospace industry where components like sensors,gears,actuators and air frames used in aircraft and rocket engines were welded using this technique.Welding is normally performed in a vacuum to avoid the scatter of electron due to the presence of gas molecules in the atmosphere and hence electron beam welding process provides the greater results.But still joining of dissimilar metals is challenging.This paper represents review of process,generation and distribution of heat source various input parameters,materials,microstructure,mechanical strength and the possibilities of joining dissimilar metals using electron beam welding.

Analysis of metal transfer during electron beam welding with filler wire

The metal transfer mode of electron beam welding （EBW） with filler wire was studied experimentally. The spatial position between the electron beam and the filler wire was defined. Basing on the charge coupled device （CCD） visual sensing system, the metal transfer mode of filler wire was investigated. The results showed that there were five transfer modes during EBW process due to different wire feed rates and spatial positions between beam and filler wire, such as short-circuiting mode, molten metal bridge mode, small droplet mode, big droplet mode and mixed mode. By comparing the weld appearance of different transfer modes, the molten metal bridge transfer was proved to be the best transfer mode.

Equalization of Ti 6Al 4V alloy welded joint by scanning electron beam welding

The equalization of Ti 6Al 4V alloy welded joint with base metal on corrosion resistance, strength and ductility was studied. The solidification microstructure is transformed from 650 μm columnar grains to 100 μm equiaxed grains by scanning electron beam welding. The anodic polarization curve of 150 μm equiaxed grains coincides with that of base metal. Equal corrosion resistance between weld metal and base metal was obtained. Uniform microstructure and solute distribution are the basis of equalization. Corrosion rate of weld with 150 μm equiaxed grains is the lowest, 2.45 times lower than that of 650 μm columnar grains. Weld strength is 98% as much as that of base metal, yield strength ratio is 99.5%, which is 3.6% higher than that of base metal.

Microstructure and fatigue crack growth behaviour of electron beam welding in 30CrMnSiNi2A steel

The effects of two post-weld heat treatment processes on the microstructure and fatigue properties of the electron beam welded joints of 30CrMnSiNi2A steel were studied. Electron beam local post-weld heat treatment (EBLPWHT), in a vacuum chamber, immediately after welding and a traditional furnace whole post-weld heat treatment (FWPWHT) were accepted. The experimental results show that, after EBLPWHT, the main microstructure of weld is changed from coarse acicular martensite into lath martensite, and base metal is changed from ferrite and perlite into upper bainite and residual austenite, however the microstructures of different zones of joints in FWPWHT conditions are tempered sorbite. The fatigue crack growth rate da/dN of welds and base metal are not obviously changed among EBLPWHT, FWPWHT test and as-welded (AW) test, as the mechanical properties of materials have a certain but not large effect on the da/dN of welded joints. The resistance to near threshold fatigue crack growth data of welded joints can be largely improved by EBLPWHT and it is related to microstructure and crack closure effect.

An application of ultrasonic phased array imaging in electron beam welding inspection

The basic principle and features of ultrasonic phased array imaging are discussed in this paper. Through the ultrasonic phased array technology, the electron beam welding defects and frozen keyholes characterization and imaging were realized. The ultrasonic phased array technology can detect kinds of defects in electron beam welding (EBW) quickly and easily.

Numerical analysis of thermal fluid transportation during electron beam welding of 2219 aluminum alloy plate and experimental validation

A three-dimensional mathematical model using volume-of-fluid method is developed to investigate the heat transfer, fluid flow and keyhole dynamics during electron beam welding of 2219 aluminum alloy plate. In the model, an adaptive heat source is employed to simulate the heating process of electron beam. Fluid flow is mainly driven by surface tension, thermo-capillary force, recoil pressure, hydrostatic pressure and thermal buoyancy. The thermal-fluid transport behaviors of welding pool during the drilling and backfilling stages of keyhole and the formation reason of the nail-shaped weld with an arc crater are systematically analyzed. Finally, all calculation results are validated by experiments and show good agreements.

Effects of electron beam welding parameters on the microstructure of titanium to aluminum alloy joints

Electron beam welding of titanium alloy to aluminum alloy was carried out by melting and melt-brazing to investigate the effects of welding parameters on microstructure of the joint. The results indicated that the joint of the specimen welded by melting was well-formed but contained a large amount of intermetallic compounds. These intermetallic compounds were mainly composed of brittle phases such as TiAl and TiAl3 that decreased the ductility of the joints and resulted in a tensile strength 50 % lower than that of the base metal. In the melt-brazing experiment, direct heat was applied to the aluminum alloy to melt the aluminum rather than the titanium alloy, creating a well-formed joint. The weld was mainly composed of Al element and only a 3 ~m thickness of intermetallic compounds formed near the fusion line at the Ti side. The ductility and the performauce of the joint were significantly improved compared with those of the melting-only joint. In addition, the tensile strength of the joint reached 80 % of that of the aluminum base metal.

Residual stress analysis of 7075 aluminum alloy after vacuum electron beam welding

The residual stresses distribution of 7075 aluminum alloy in vacuum electron beam welding joint was numerically simulated using nonlinear finite element method. The result shows that the longitudinal residual stress is tension stress along weld center and the stress peak value appears in the middle of the welded seam; the transversal residual stress is compression stress ; the residual stress in thickness direction is very small.

Weldability and liquation cracking behavior of ZhS6U superalloy during electron-beam welding

The weldability of the ZhS6U nickel-based superalloy, which is prone to solidification cracking during electron-beam welding(EBW) repair processes, was investigated. The effects of two different pre-weld heat-treatment cycles on the final microstructure before and after welding were examined. Welds were made on flat coupons using an EBW machine, and the two heat-treatment cycles were designed to reduce γ′ liquation before welding. Microstructural features were also examined by optical and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the change in the morphology and size of the γ′ precipitates in the pre-weld heat-treatment cycles changed the ability of the superalloy to release the tensile stresses caused by the matrix phase cooling after EBW. The high hardness in the welded coupons subjected to the first heat-treatment cycle resulted in greater resistance to stress release by the base alloy, and the concentration of stress in the base metal caused liquation cracks in the heat-affected zone and solidification cracks in the weld area.

Electron beam welding of SiCp/2024 and 2219 aluminum alloy

SiCp/2024 matrix composites reinforced with SiC particles and 2219 aluminum alloy were joined via centered electron beam welding and deflection beam welding,respectively,and the microstructures and mechanical properties of these joints were investigated.The results revealed that SiC particle segregation was more likely during centered electron beam welding(than during deflection beam welding),and strong interface reactions led to the formation of many Al4C3 brittle intermetallic compounds.Moreover,the tensile strength of the joints was 104 MPa.The interface reaction was restrained via deflection electron beam welding,and only a few Al4C3 intermetallic compounds formed at the top of the joint and heat affected zone of SiCp/Al.Quasi-cleavage fracture occurred at the interface reaction layer of the base metal.Both methods yielded a hardness transition zone near the SiCp/2024 fusion zone,and the brittle intermetallic Al4C3compounds formed in this zone resulted in high hardness.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of butt joints of QCr0.8/1Cr21Ni5Ti equal-thickness dissimilar materials by electron beam welding

Butt joints of QCr0.8/1Cr21Ni5Ti equal-thickness dissimilar materials were obtained by electron beam welding with fixed accelerating voltage 60 kV and focus current ~1.99 A , changed electron beam current and welding velocity. Microstructure and composition of the EBW joint were investigated by means of optical micrography and EDX analysis, mechanical properties of the joint were also tested. The results show that joint’s macrostructure was divided into three zones: top weld zone near QCr0.8 and bottom weld zone consisting of Cu(ss.Fe) with a certain amount of dispersedly distributed (α+ε) mixed microstructure, middle weld zone consisting of (α+ε) microstructure with a small amount of Cu(ss.Fe) particles. Morphological inhomogeneous macrostructure and uneven chemical compostion of QCr0.8/1Cr21Ni5Ti joint by EBW are the most important factor to result in decreasing joining strength.

Microstructures of electron beam welding joint of CNTs/Al composites

Carbon nauotube（ CNT） reinforced aluminum metal matrix composites were welded by electron beam welding and the microstructures of welded joints were investigated. The result showed that the interracial reaction happened between the CNTs and Al matrix, which resulted in producing brittle Al4 C3 compounds in electron beam welds. The extent of interfacial reaction varies gradually in the depth and width direction. The length of the reactants Al4C3 became short duo to the temperature gradient in the molten pool. The quantity and size of Al4 C3 compounds increased with the increase of beam current and the decrease of welding speed in the middle zone of weld. However, no needle-like phase Al4C3 was observed in HAZ.

Electron beam welding of Ti-15-3 titanium alloy to 304 stainless steel with copper interlayer sheet

Electron beam welding of Ti-15-3 titanium alloy to 304 stainless steel with a copper sheet as interlayer was carried out.Microstructures of the joint were studied by optical microscopy(OM),scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and X-ray diffractometry(XRD).In addition,the mechanical properties of the joint were evaluated by tensile test and the microhardness was measured.These two alloys were successfully welded by adding copper transition layer into the weld.Solid solution with a certain thickness was located at the interfaces between weld and base metal in both sides.Regions inside the weld and near the stainless steel were characterized by solid solution of copper with TiFe2 intermetallics dispersedly distributed in it.While weld near titanium alloy contained Ti-Cu and Ti-Fe-Cu intermetallics layer,in which the hardness of weld came to the highest value.Brittle fracture occurred in the intermetallics layer when the joint was stretched.

Effect of welding parameters on Al/Ti joint property in electron beam welding-brazing

The electron beam welding-brazing being used to join 5A06 Al alloy to TC4 Ti alloy decreases the formation of brittle intermetallic compound.Experiments were carried out to study the influence of electron beam welding parameters on the tensile strength of welds,based on an orthogonal test and analysis method.The welding parameters include beam current,welding speed,scanning figure,scanning frequency,figure size,beam offset and focus current.The optimum parameters for3 mm 5A06 Al alloy and 2 mm TC4 alloy were as follows：acceleration voltage was 60 kV,beam current was 11 mA,welding speed was 600 mm/min,focus current was 0 mA,scan figure was O,scanning frequency was 1 000 Hz and beam offset was 0.5 mm.The results show that the joints were with good appearance and quality welded by the optimum parameters.The successful joints could be gained and the maximum tensile strength of Al/Ti dissimilar alloy joints could be up to 222.61 MPa using electron beam welding-brazing.

Electron beam welding of SiC_p/LD2 composite

The 2 mm-thick SiCp/LD2 composite plates were electron beam welded at different heat inputs. The microstructures of welds were investigated by OM, TEM, SEM, and XRD, and the properties of welds were measured with MTS-810 testing system. The results show that the quantity and size of acicular Al4C3 precipitates (interfacial reaction product) decrease with the heat input decreasing. When the heat input lowers to 30 J/mm, the formation of needle-like Al4C3 can be prevented. The distributions of SiC in the fusion zones are more uniform than that in as-received composite. TEM analysis reveals that there are Al4C3 crystals on the surface of every survived particle, the needle-like Al4C3 observed under the optical microscope consists of many tabular Al4C3 crystals which have different orientations. With the increase of heat input, the fracture mechanism changes from ductile one to brittle one, the quantity of fractured particles on the fracture face decreases and the strength and ductility of the weld decrease.

Cutting and Welding of High-Strength Steels Using Non-Vacuum Electron Beam as a Universal Tool for Material Processing

Using a non-vacuum electron beam, a two-step process chain for plate materials is a feasible possibility. Cutting and welding can be performed in subsequent steps on the same machine for a highly productive process chain. The electron beam is a tool with high energy conversion efficiency, which is largely independent of the type of metal. Its high power density qualifies the non-vacuum electron beam as an outstanding energy source for the well-known NVEB welding as well as for high-speed cutting. Welding is possible with or without filler wire or shielding gas, depending on the application. The NVEB-cutting process employs a co-moving cutting head with a sliding seal for extremely high cutting speeds producing high quality edges. Due to direct removal of fumes and dust, NVEBC with local suction is an exceptionally clean and fast process. The NVEB welding process is possible directly after cutting, without further edge preparation. The potential directions of development of non-vacuum electron beam technologies are discussed. An exemplary two-step process chain using high-strength steel is presented to highlight possible application in industries such as general steel construction, automotive, shipbuilding, railway vehicle or crane construction. An analysis of the mechanical properties of the resulting weld seam is presented.

Detection and processing of molten-pool image of electron-beam deep-penetration welding based on visual sensing

A visual sensing system was developed. The system is suitable for titanium-alloy electron-beam welding, and senses and detects molten-pool dynamic processes. A suite of processing programs for colored molten-pool images in titanium-alloy electron-beam welding was developed using Matlab software; molten-pool edge images are completely obtained using the program. The Matlab software was used to write a program which could extract the molten-pool width. The functional relationship between the molten-pool width and penetration under the experimental conditions was obtained by a curve-fitting method, and provided the theoretical basis for further penetration control.

Electron beam braze-welding of vanadium alloy to stainless steel with electroplated Cu/Ag coatings

Cracks may easily occur in the fusion weld between vanadium alloys and stainless steel due to the brittle intermetallics and welding stress. The high vacuum electron beam braze-welding has been successfully used to join vanadium alloy（V-5Cr-STi） to stainless steel （HR-2） with electroplated Cu and Ag coating. To investigate the effects of electroplated coating on the weldability, the joint appearaace, the microstrueture and the mechanical properties of the joints have been thoroughly analyzed. The results show that the joint surface configuration was good and root reinforcement was full and smooth. A reaction zone （RZ） was gained on the interface between the V-5 Cr-5 Ti alloy and HR-2 stainless steel base metals. The width of reaction zone at the top of the joint was up to O. 65 mm, wider than that in the bottom of the joint （ 0.46 mm）. The reaction zone consisted of considerably smaller dendritic structures with an average grain size of less than 10μm. Element Ag and Cu almost enriched the interface between V-SCr-5Ti alloy substrate and RZ, serving as a physical barrier which decreases or avoids the formation of intermetallics. The maximum tensile strength of vanadium alloy^stainless steel dissimilar alloy joint was more than 300 MPa. The joint was defects free.