Analysis of the Process Parameters, Post-Weld Heat Treatment and Peening Effects on Microstructure and Mechanical Performance of Ti–Al Dissimilar Laser Weldings

Dissimilar Ti–Al laser weldings are very interesting due to their difficulties in being processed because of the different physical properties of the alloys and the crack formations during cooling and solidification. In this study, the effect of laser offset and defocusing on microstructure, geometry and mechanical properties response of 2 mm thick dissimilar AA6061/Ti-6Al-4V laser welds was analyzed. Moreover, in order to reduce residual stresses, the joints were both heat-treated and mechanically treated by ultrasonic peening. The welds microstructure was found to be martensitic in the Ti-6Al-4V fusion zone, columnar dendritic in the AA6061 fusion zone and partially martensitic in the Ti-6Al-4V heat-affected zone. Intermetallic compounds based on the Al–Ti system were detected at the AA6061/Ti-6Al-4V interface and in the aluminum fusion zone. Both negative defocusing and higher laser offset improved the tensile performance of the welds, mainly by reducing the amount of brittle intermetallic compounds. The stress relaxation heat treatment, leading to the aging of the martensite and the increasing of the size of the intermetallic compound, reduced the tensile strength and ductility of the joints. On the contrary, for dissimilar Al–Ti welds, mechanical treatment was effective in increasing joints ductility and, moreover, corrosion resistance.