Influence of IP-TIG welding parameters on weld bead geometry, tensile properties, and microstructure of Ti6Al4V alloy joints

Abstract

The primary aim of this study is to analyze the influence of inter-pulse tungsten inert gas (IP-TIG) welding parameters (peak current, inter-pulse current, and inter-pulse frequency) on weld bead geometry, tensile properties, and microstructure of Ti6Al4V alloy joints for gas turbine applications. IP-TIG welding principally featured by magnetic arc constriction and pulsing was employed to overcome the high heat input problems in TIG welding of thin Ti6Al4V alloy sheets such as wider bead and HAZ, coarsening of beta grains, inferior ductility, distortion of joints, and atmospheric contamination which significantly deteriorates the mechanical performance of welded sheets. The tensile properties and microhardness of IP-TIG joints were evaluated and correlated to the microstructural features. The microstructural features were analyzed using optical microscopy. The fractured surfaces of tensile specimens were studied using scanning electron microscopy. Results showed that the Ti6Al4V alloy joints developed using peak current of 50 A, inter-pulse current of 30 A, and inter-pulse frequency of 20 kHz exhibited greater strength, hardness and elongation. It showed greater tensile strength of 1030 MPa, yield strength of 981 MPa, and elongation of 10 % and FZ microhardness of 391 HV0.2. It is mainly due to the development of refined grains in fusion zone (FZ).

Multi-response Optimization of GTAW Process Parameters in Terms of Energy Efficiency and Quality

“…Wan et al find that the tensile strength (TS) and elongation (EL) could be improved using the optimized weld shape [7]; the TS and EL of the welded 2219-T8 aluminium alloys were enhanced by 70 % and 4 %, respectively. Vijayakumar et al [8] presented that the peak current of 50 A, inter-pulse current of 30 A, and inter-pulse frequency of 20 kHz could be used to improve the characteristics of the IP-TIG welded Ti6Al4V alloy. The RSM model of the joint strength was developed for the IN-718 weld by Sonar et al [9], who found that the developed weld exhibited 32 % higher strength and superior corrosion resistance than TIG ones.…”