Effect of Pre and Post Weld Heat Treatments on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Fiber Optic Beam Delivery System Assisted Robotic Nd: Yag Laser Welded Ti-6Al-4V Alloy

Abstract

In the present study, Ti6Al4V titanium alloy plates were joined using robotic laser welding method. Pre- and post-weld heat treatments were applied to laser welded joints. After welding stress relieving, solution heat treatment and ageing were also applied to preheated laser welded samples. Effects of heat treatment conditions on microstructural characteristics and mechanical properties of robotic laser welded joints were studied. Aged samples were found to be made of coarsened grains compared to microstructures of non-aged samples. There were increases in ductility and impact toughness of samples applied to ageing increased, while hardness and tensile strength of non-aged samples were higher. The highest value for tensile strength and for impact toughness in welded samples have been identified as 840 MPa and 27 J, respectively. Fractures in tensile test samples and base metal impact test samples took place in the form of ductile fracture, while laser welded impact test samples had fractures in the mode of intergranular fractures with either a quasi-cleavage type or tear ridges. EDS analysis carried out for all heat treatment conditions and welding parameters demonstrated that major element losses were not observed in base metal, HAZ and weld metal.

Keywords

• titanium alloy
• robotic laser welding
• heat treatment
• microstructure
• mechanical properties