Introduction of new surface geometry to join Ti-6Al-4V and SS304L by friction welding

Abstract

Purpose

In friction welding of dissimilar joint method, few material compositions are not possible to weld effectively. For better dissimilar metal joining in friction welding, the interlayer techniques are used by the third metal to increase the diffusion for suitable metal bonding. The interlayer metals are popularly held by coating, foils, sheet and solid rod form. The coating method needs more care for surface preparation with special coating equipment with high workmanship. In case of foil as intermediate metal, more care is neededfor holding between the metal; most of the time this technique has the possibility of failure by peeling off from the contact surface during high speed rotation with pressure during friction generation.

Design/methodology/approach

In this investigation, a copper coin was machined to a suitable size (transition fit) to suit the recess inside the SS rod. The mating surfaces of Cu coin, SS rod and Ti alloy were machined, polished to mirror finish and handled in friction welding machine. The purpose of the transition fit between the coin and SS rod is for holding the same intact before the beginning of the process.

Findings

Successful joint was achieved with good joint strength at less time. Empirical models were established to fin out the joint strength at any given parameter within the range of investigation

Research limitations/implications

The models developed can be used only within the range of investigation considered for experimentation.

Practical implications

The paper includes implications for the development of a method of joining any dissimilar joints

Originality/value

In this investigation, a copper coin was machined to a suitable size (transition fit) to suit the recess inside the SS rod. The mating surfaces of Cu coin, SS rod and Ti alloy were machined, polished to mirror finish and handled in friction welding machine. The purpose of the transition fit between the coin and SS rod is for holding the same intact before the beginning of the process.

Citation

Balasubramanian, M. and Kumar, R. (2020), "Introduction of new surface geometry to join Ti-6Al-4V and SS304L by friction welding", Multidiscipline Modeling in Materials and Structures, Vol. 16 No. 5, pp. 1233-1244. https://doi.org/10.1108/MMMS-11-2019-0188