Diffusion welding of the VT6C titanium alloy tee joints

The effect of plastic deformation in the welding zone on structure and properties of the VT-6 titanium alloy tee welds obtained by vacuum diffusion welding of 2 mm sheets has been studied. The best welds were obtained when the welding was accompanied by formation of hollow chamfers. In rupture, shear and vibration tests the welds with hollow chamfers probed to be stronger than the basic metal. The fatigue strength of such welds after 106 loading cycles was 1.5 times higher than that of welds whose formation involved minor plastic deformation of the metal. The most typical defects of the welds were non-welded edge ''whiskers'' arising from contamination of atmosphere in the vacuum welding chamber