Effect of diffusion bonding time on microstructure and mechanical properties of dissimilar Ti6Al4V titanium alloy and AISI 304 austenitic stainless steel joints

The main objective of this investigation is to study the effect of diffusion bonding time on microstructure and mechanical properties of dissimilar Ti6Al4V titanium alloy and AISI 304 austenitic stainless steel joints. The dissimilar joints of Ti6Al4V titanium alloy and AISI 304 steel were developed using the different levels of bonding time (30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 min) in a vacuum chamber at a bonding temperature of 900 °C and compressive pressure of 14 MPa. The microstructure of joints was analyzed using optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The elemental analysis of joint interface was studied using the SEM energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The evolution of intermetallic compounds at the joint interface was analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD). The ram tensile tests and lap shear tests were performed to assess the bonding strength and lap shear strength of dissimilar joints. Results showed that the dissimilar joints of Ti6Al4V alloy-AISI 304 steel developed using the diffusion bonding time of 75 min showed higher lap shear strength of 151 MPa and bonding strength of 244 MPa due to the better coalescence of the joining surfaces and evolution of optimum width of diffusion region having minimum embrittlement effects.