Interfacial microstructure and strength of the dissimilar joint Ti3Al/TC4 welded by the electron beam process

Dissimilar weld joints in Ti3Al/TC4 were welded using the electron beam (EB) process. The microstructure evolution characterizations of the joints was investigated by means of OM, SEM, XRD, TEM and the tensile strengths of the joints were tested. The microstructure of the weld metal of every joint was identical. The structures were characterized by martensite, appearing coarse equiaxed grains. There existed grain coarsening and martensitic transformation in Ti3Al/HAZ and TC4/HAZ. With the increase of heat input, the grain size was significantly raised, yet the composition of the weld metal was independent of heat input. The highest tensile strength of the joints can reach 831 MPa, equaled almost to 92% of that of Ti3Al-based alloy.