Laser welding of TiNi shape memory alloy and stainless steel using Ni interlayer

Highlights: ► Laser welding was achieved using Ni interlayer between TiNi SMA and stainless steel. ► Ni interlayer thickness has great effects on joint microstructure and properties. ► Increasing Ni interlayer thickness results in increasing γ-Fe phase in weld metals. ► Excessive addition of Ni results in forming more TiNi3 and pores in the weld metals. ► Suitable Ni interlayer thickness improves the joint quality. -- Abstract: Laser welding of TiNi shape memory alloy wire to stainless steel wire using Ni interlayer was investigated. The results indicated that the Ni interlayer thickness had great effects on the chemical composition, microstructure, gas-pore susceptibility and mechanical properties of laser-welded joints. With an increase of Ni interlayer thickness, the weld Ni content increased and the joint properties increased due to decreasing brittle intermetallic compounds (TiFe2 and TiCr2). The joint fracture occurred in the fusion zone with a brittle intermetallic compound layer. The tensile strength and elongation of the joints reached the maximum values (372 MPa and 4.4%) when weld Ni content was 47.25 wt.%. Further increasing weld Ni content resulted in decreasing the joint properties because of forming more TiNi3 phase, gas-pores and shrinkage cavities in the weld metals. It is necessary to select suitable Ni interlayer thickness (weld composition) for improving the mechanical properties of laser-welded joints.