Microstructure transformation and mechanical properties of TC4 alloy joints welded by TIG

The microstructure and phase transformation of TC4 alloy weld joints during TIG welding were investigated. The mechanical properties of the welded joints were also tested. When the TC4 alloy was heated by TIG arc, grains in the weld bead and heat affected zone (HAZ) were badly coarsening. The grain size in HAZ has mutant character. The microstructure in the transition region presented zonal distribution. There was no obvious fine grained region. In temperature-rise period, the transformation of (α+β)→β was divided into two processes which included the original β→high-temperature β and the original α→high-temperature β. And the previous phase transformation was finished before the next starting. In the cooling process, slowly cooling rate introduced α' phases nucleating at the high-temperature β grain boundary in the β→α transform temperature range. The α' martensite grew up into the center of the β grains and generated acicular martensite. With quicker cooling rate, large numbers of α' phase nucleated in the high-temperature β grains and generated orthogonally oriented martensites. Hardness measurements show there is a softened zone in HAZ. Tensile strength of welded joint was approximate with the base metal. And the properties of the welded joints were good.