Effects of zonal heat treatment on residual stresses and mechanical properties of electron beam welded TC4 alloy plates

Zonal heat treatment(ZHT) was conducted in situ to 14.5 mm-thick TC4 alloy plates by means of defocused electron beam after welding. The effects of ZHT on residual stresses, microstructures and mechanical properties of electron beam welded joints were investigated. Experimental results show residual stresses after welding are mostly relieved through ZHT, and the maximum values of longitudinal tensile stress and transverse compressive stress reduce by 76% and 65%, respectively. The tensile strength and ductility of welded joint after ZHT at slow scanning velocity are improved because of the reduction of residual stress and the microstructural changes of the base and weld metal. ZHT at fast scanning velocity is detrimental to the ductility of welded joint, which is resulted from insufficiently coarsened alpha phase in the fusion zone and the appearance of martensite in the base metal.