Welding consumables - Solid wire electrodes, solid wires and rods for fusion welding of titanium and titanium alloys - Classification

The selection of high-strength titanium alloys has an important role in increasing the performance of aerospace structures. Fabricated structures have a specific role in reducing the cost of these structures. However, conventional fusion welding of high-strength titanium alloys is generally conducive to poor mechanical properties. Friction welding is a potential method for intensifying the mechanical properties of suitable geometry components. In this paper, the rotary friction welding (RFW) method is used to study the feasibility of producing similar metal joints of high-strength titanium alloys. To predict the upset and temperature and identify the safe and suitable range of parameters, a thermomechanical model was developed. The upset predicted by the finite element simulations was compared with the upset obtained by the experimental results. The numerical results are consistent with the experimental results. Particularly, high upset rates due to generated power density and forging pressure overload that occurred during the welding process were investigated. The performances of the welded joints are evaluated by conducting microstructure studies and Vickers hardness at the joints. The titanium rotary friction welds achieve a higher tensile strength than the base material.

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Computer Aided Design of an Effective Fixture for FSW Processes of Titanium Alloys

Key Engineering Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/kem.473.304 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 473 ◽

pp. 304-309

Author(s):

Gianluca Buffa ◽

Livan Fratini

Keyword(s):

Titanium Alloys ◽

Computer Aided Design ◽

Welding Process ◽

Optimal Solution ◽

Fusion Welding ◽

Material Behavior ◽

Viscoplastic Material ◽

3D Fem ◽

Friction Stir ◽

Aluminum And Magnesium Alloys

During the last years welded titanium components have been extensively applied in aeronautical and aerospace industries because of their high specific strength and corrosion resistance properties. Friction Stir Welding (FSW) is a solid state welding process, currently industrially utilized for difficult to be welded or “unweldable” aluminum and magnesium alloys, able to overcome the drawbacks of traditional fusion welding techniques. When titanium alloys are concerned, additional problems arise as the need for very high strength and high temperature resistant tools, gas shield protection and high stiffness machines. Additionally, the process is characterized by an elevated sensitivity to temperature variations, which, in turn, depends on the main operative parameters. Numerical simulation represents the optimal solution in order to perform an effective process optimization with affordable costs. In this paper, a fully 3D FEM model for the FSW process is proposed, that is thermo-mechanically coupled and with rigid-viscoplastic material behavior. Experimental clamping parts are modeled and the thermal loads are calculated at the varying of the cooling strategy. Finally, the effectiveness of the cooling systems is evaluated through experimental tests.

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