Abstract
This paper presents a study on the performance behaviour of friction welded titanium alloy rods. The Ti6Al4V alloy rods were friction welded with continuous-drive friction welding using different combinations of process parameters. The welding speed ranging from 1600 to 2700 RPM and the applied pressure ranging from 25 to 140 MPa were utilized for the welding process. The weld joints and the parent material were examined for microstructure characterisation, Vickers hardness and tensile properties. The microstructure of the weld joint revealed fine equiaxed grains with complete recrystallization. The presence of martensitic grains was obtained at process parameter combinations of low welding speed and high pressure. The tensile tests conducted revealed that the weld joints of low speed and high pressure had improved tensile properties when compared to that of the parent material. The ultimate tensile strength of 1040 MPa with the elongation of 26.5 % was obtained at a speed of 1900 RPM and 80 MPa pressure. The micro-hardness tests revealed an increase in hardness across all the weld zones when compared to the parent material, with the maximum hardness obtained at the weld nugget. Further study was conducted to evaluate the effect of parameters on the weld joint integrity.
Highlights
The use and the application of titanium alloys have increased worldwide and currently account for over 50 % of the total titanium usage worldwide [1]
This process cycle has similarities to that reported by Yates [19] and Palanivel et al [26] in the friction welding of titanium alloys
Titanium alloy Ti6Al4V was successfully welded with the rotary friction welding (RFW) process
Summary
The use and the application of titanium alloys have increased worldwide and currently account for over 50 % of the total titanium usage worldwide [1] This is due to the alloys having outstanding properties as compared to other materials and alloys in the same group. Titanium alloys have similar mechanical properties as steel alloys yet are approximately 45 % lower in specific gravity. These properties have brought about a wide range of applications that require a high level of reliability, corrosion resistance, and excellent performance in various conditions of applications such as in surgical and mechanical equipment, automotive industries, chemical plants, marine and aerospace industries, and biomedical body implants. The availability of titanium alloys enables engineering designers and fabricators to use them for different forms of critical application, such as in orthopaedics and dental implants [4]
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