Abstract
Titanium and its alloys are known as a workhorse for aerospace and automobile industries. These alloys possess several features like high strength, better corrosion resistance, lower density, and very good biocompatibility. It is extensively used in chemical, aviation, aerospace, medicinal, and automotive industries. In this study, an experimental investigation and metallurgical characterization of fiber laser weldments of 5 mm thick Ti–6Al–4V alloy plate are performed. After experiments, the qualities of the welded specimens are investigated in terms of penetration depth, weld appearance, bead geometry, hardness, and developed microstructures in fusion and heat-affected zones. The energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis confirms shielding gas effectiveness. The microstructures in fusion zone, as well as heat affected zones, are suitably controlled by welding process parameters. The Vickers microhardness of the welded specimens highly depends on developed microstructures in the fusion and heat-affected zones. The results show that the beam power in laser welding process plays a major role for full penetration in the base plate. There is a critical range of welding power that produces full penetration, narrow weld width, small HAZ, and aesthetic bead appearance with satisfactory bead hardening.
