Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Electron Beam-Welded Joints of Titanium TC4 (Ti-6Al-4V) and Kovar (Fe-29Ni-17Co) Alloys with Cu/Nb Multi-Interlayer

Abstract

Electron beam welding of a titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) and a kovar alloy (Fe-29Ni-17Co) was performed by using a Cu/Nb multi-interlayer between them. Microstructure and composition of welded joints were analyzed by means of optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Mechanical properties of welded joints were evaluated by microhardness and tensile strength tests. Results indicated that in case of 0.22 mm thickness of Nb foil, microstructure of the titanium alloy side was mainly composed of Ti solid solution and some intermetallic compounds such as FeTi and CuTi2, whereas in case of 0.40 mm thickness of Nb foil, the appearance of weld was more uniform and hardness of the weld zone decreased sharply. However, tensile strength of welded joints was increased from 88.1 MPa for the 0.22 mm Nb foil to 150 MPa for the 0.40 mm Nb foil. It was found that thicker Nb foil could inhibit diffusion of Fe atoms towards the titanium alloy side, thus promoting the formation of Ti solid solution and a small amount of CuTi2 and eliminating FeTi. In addition, in both cases, Cu0.5Fe0.5Ti was found in the fusion zone of the titanium alloy side, which had an adverse effect on mechanical properties of welded joints.