Investigations on the mechanical properties and microstructure of dissimilar cp-titanium and AISI 316L austenitic stainless steel continuous friction welds

Friction welding process is a solid state joining process that produces a weld under the compressive force contact of one rotating and one stationary work piece. In this study, the friction welding of dissimilar joints of AISI 316L stainless steel and cp-titanium is considered. The optical, scanning electron microscopy studies of the weld were carried out. Moreover, the X-ray diffraction analysis was performed. The integrity of welds was achieved by the micro hardness and tensile tests. The fracture surface was examined by the scanning electron microscopy. The study showed that the magnitude of tensile strength of the dissimilar welded specimen was below that of the titanium base material if preheating was not applied at the interface. The high weld tensile strength was achieved by preheating the 316L stainless steel material to 700 degrees C, smoothing and cleaning of the contact surfaces. Results illustrated that in dissimilar joints, different phases and intermetallic compounds such as FeTi, Fe(2)Ti, Fe(2)Ti(4)O, Cr(2)Ti and sigma titanium phase were produced at the interface. The presence of brittle intermetallic compounds at the interface resulted in degradation of mechanical strength which in turn led to premature failure of joint interface in the service condition. Preheating caused to produce oxide layer at the interface which was harmful for bonding. The oxide layer could be eliminated by applying pressure and smoothing the surface. Results of hardness tests illustrated that the high hardness was occurred in the titanium side adjacent to the joint interface. Moreover, the optimum operational parameters were obtained in order to achieve the weld tensile strength greater than the weak titanium material. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.