LAUSR

Electron beam welding (EBW) is found to be the most suitable welding process for aerospace components due to high weld efficiency and clean welding process. In the present study, different heat treatment conditions like annealing, solution treatment (ST), solution treatment plus aging (STA) in different combinations of pre-/post-weld treatments are studied on Ti alloy Ti6Al4V. Its effects are analyzed through microstructure, microhardness, and tensile properties, across the fusion zone (FZ). Microstructure shows the presence of fine α / α ′ particles and secondary α , which is responsible for improvement in weld properties. Microhardness across the weldment shows increase in hardness in the FZ in all the cases of pre- or post-weld heat treatment except ST + EBW + Age/STA + EBW treated sample. Increase in microhardness of all the FZ shows good response of weldment structure for heat treatment. In case of STA samples, reduction in microhardness of weldment is found. It is due to higher properties of STA parent metal as compared to as-welded structure. Optimum condition for the best combination of properties (strength and elongation) is found to be ST + EBW + STA and/or annealed + EBW + STA.