The investigation of ultrasonic mechanical forging influence on the structure and mechanical properties of VT23 welded joints by methods of laser and electron beam welding

Abstract

The structure and mechanical properties of welded joints of VT23 titanium alloy received by methods of laser and electron beam welding with subsequent thermomechanical treatment (TMP1 and TMP2) including ultrasonic mechanical forging are investigated. X-ray structure analysis, scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy have revealed the features of phase structure, microstructure and fractography of welded joints after electron beam and laser welding with subsequent ultrasonic mechanical forging. Application of ultrasonic mechanical forging of welded joints produced by electron beam and laser welding has allowed increasing fatigue life of samples of welded joints after laser welding from 6369 to 19 569 cycles and from 54 616 cycles to 77 126 cycles for electron beam welding. Thus, the application of ultrasonic mechanical forging can significantly raise fatigue and mechanical characteristics of welded connections.