Diffusion Bonding of TA15 and Ti2AlNb Alloys: Interfacial Microstructure and Mechanical Properties

TA15 and Ti2AlNb alloys were joined by diffusion welding. The influence of holding time on morphology and mechanical properties of the joint was studied under two conditions of different bonding pressure and temperature. The interface structure was analyzed by BSE and EDS. The mechanical properties of joints were tested. The results show that the typical interfacial microstructure consists of lath α-phase (TA15 alloy)/flake α phase + α-interfacial phase + α2 phase/B2-rich phase/Ti2AlNb alloy. When bonding at 920 °C and 15 MPa with increasing holding time, the interface microstructure evolves into flake α phase and distributes as a basket-weave and the interfacial coarse spherical α phase distributes as a line. α2 phase and O phase disappear gradually while the content of the B2 phase increases. The tensile strength of the joints is 870, 892 and 903 MPa, for 120, 150 and 210 min holding time, respectively, while the elongation rises as well. When bonding at 940 °C and 10 MPa with increasing holding time, the interfacial area includes more Widmanstatten structure and B2 phase. The tensile strength of joints decreases from 921 to 908 MPa, while the elongation increases from 12 to 15.5%, for holding 120 and 210 min, respectively. The tendency of plastic fracture also increases with holding time for both temperature-pressure combinations.