Tensile properties of friction stir welded and friction stir welded-superplastically formed Ti–6Al–4V butt joints

A University and Industry collaborative research project was undertaken to evaluate the performance of as friction stir welded (FSW) and friction stir welded-superplastically formed Ti–6Al–4V alloy sheets. The purpose of this particular effort was to evaluate the tensile properties of friction stir welded and superplastically formed friction stir welded Ti–6Al–4V. Welds were produced out of both standard grain and fine grained titanium and tested in the as welded, stress relieved (SR) and superplastically formed (SPF) conditions. The preliminary results of the FSW and post FSW–SPF joint were found to be close to that of as received titanium with respect to strength, but elongations were decreased.