Microstructure and mechanical properties of friction welds between TiAl alloy and 40Cr steel rods

Direct friction welding of TiAl alloy to 40Cr steel rods was conducted, and the microstructure and mechanical properties of the resultant joints in as-welded and post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) states were investigated. The martensitic transformation occurred and brittle TiC phase formed near the interface due to C agglomeration, which degraded the joint strength and increased the microhardness at the interface in as-welded state. Feathery and Widmanstatten structure generated near the interface on TiAl alloy side. After PWHT at 580 °C and 630 °C for 2 h, the sorbite formed and C dispersed at the interface, leading to the increase of the joint strength from 86 MPa in as-welded state to 395 MPa and 330 MPa, respectively. The heat-treated specimen fractured with quasi-cleavage features through the zone 1 mm away from the interface on TiAl alloy side, but the as-welded specimen failed through the interface.