Microstructure at friction stir lap joint interface of pure titanium and steel

A commercially pure titanium plate was lap joined to a structural steel plate via friction stir welding, and the microstructures at the lap joint interface were intensively examined by means of electron backscatter diffraction analysis and transmission electron microscopy. Swirling-like macro- and micro-intermixing zones of titanium and steel are formed along the interface, where tiny Fe–Ti intermetallic particles are dispersed and mixed with β titanium in layers. The lap joint has high shear tensile strength, which is supposed to result from the dispersion of tiny Fe–Ti intermetallic particles and the formation of β titanium at the joint interface.