- Guide to best practice -

WELDING TITANIUM
A DESIGNERS AND USERS HANDBOOK

TIG
THE
TITANIUM
INFORMATION
G R O U P

WORLD CENTRE FOR

MATERIALS JOINING
TECHNOLOGY
Electronic copyright in this document as follows: Copyright TWI and the Titanium Information Group,
1999

25.00

TITANIUM INFORMATION GROUP

The TITANIUM INFORMATION GROUP, (TIG) is an association of European suppliers, design engineers, and
fabricators of titanium formed with the intention of promoting the use of titanium.
The aim of the Group is to influence the initial selection of materials so that titanium is given the consideration
merited by its unique combination of physical and mechanical properties, outstanding resistance to corrosion and
cost effectiveness in a wide range of demanding applications.
Regular publications and literature available from the Group present detailed and up-to-date technical and
commercial information to materials engineers, plant and equipment designers and buyers, and provide the answers
to everyday questions about cost, availability, fabrication and use of titanium and its alloys.
Members of the Group are available to give presentations about titanium on either general or specific topics to
companies or at seminars. A list of member companies of TIG appears on pages 32 and 33 Copies of the TIG
video, Titanium Today and the data diskette Titanium and Its Alloys are available for use in educational and
training establishments to provide an introduction to the metal its applications and properties.
Further information on TIG publications can be found on the web: www.titaniuminfogroup.co.uk

TWI
TWI is based at Abington, near Cambridge, UK and is one of Europes largest independent contract research and
technology organisations. Over 400 staff, with a unique blend of technical backgrounds, international experience
and language skills, work with industry world-wide to apply joining technology effectively. Some 2500 member
companies in over 50 countries benefit from TWI services.
TWIs knowhow and expertise covers:
Engineering - design, structural integrity, fracture, NDT.
Materials - steels, non-ferrous alloys including titanium, plastics, composites, ceramics.
Welding and joining- arc, electron beam, laser, resistance and friction welding, brazing, soldering, adhesive
bonding, fastening.
Surfacing - arc cladding, friction, high velocity oxyfuel, laser, arc spraying.
Cutting - flame, plasma, water jet, laser.
Manufacturing - project management, production/manufacturing engineering, decision support, manufacturing
systems, health and safety, quality assurance.
Industrys objectives are TWIs objectives
Reduce costs.
Market effectively.
Continuously improve quality and reliability.
Innovate.
TWI, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB1 6AL, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1223 891162 Fax: +44 (0)1223 892588
Web: http://www.twi.co.uk
email: [email protected]

The data and other information contained herein are derived from a variety of
sources which TIG and TWI believe are reliable. Because it is not possible to
anticipate specific uses and operating conditions TIG and TWI urge you to
consult with the sales or technical service personnel as appropriate of the
individual companies.

Written by: Lee S Smith, Philip Threadgill and Michael Gittos TWI
Editor: David Peacock Titanium Metals Corporation
Data available in literature available from TWI, TIMET and other members of TIG and
TWI is incorporated in this publication.

May 1999

INTRODUCTION
The high strength, low weight and outstanding corrosion resistance possessed by titanium and titanium alloys have
led to a wide and diversified range of successful applications in aerospace, chemical plant, power generation, oil
and gas extraction, medical, sports, and other industries. There is a common question which links all of these
applications, and that is how best to join titanium parts together, or to other materials to produce the final component
or structure. The variety of titanium alloys, and the vastly greater number of engineering metals and materials
requires that there should be a versatile selection of joining processes for titanium if the metal is to be capable of
use in the widest range of applications. Although mechanical fastening, adhesives, and other techniques have their
place, welding continues to be the most important process for joining titanium. Welding of titanium by various
processes is widely practised, and service performance of welds is proven with an extensive and continuously
extending record of achievements. Newer methods adaptable for titanium are further advancing the science,
technology and economics of welding. Application of this technology to the design, manufacture and application of
titanium is as relevant to first time users as to committed customers. For many applications, choosing the welding
process is as important a step in design as the specification of the alloy.
This handbook, the sixth in a series, is produced jointly by the Titanium Information Group and TWI World
Centre for Materials Joining Technology. The aim of this edition remains as with its predecessors, to bring together
key elements of widely dispersed data into a single source book. Use of this handbook will enable those responsible
to select welding processes that will be appropriate to the titanium alloy, the component, and the application. In
this way the most demanding goals for reliability, maintainability and safety can be achieved, together with the
lowest overall cost for components and systems of the highest performance and integrity.

CONTENTS
Introduction
Why use Titanium
Properties of Titanium and its Alloys
Joining Titanium and its alloys
TIG welding
MIG welding
Plasma and fluxed welding
Laser and EB welding
Resistance welding
Friction welding processes
Diffusion bonding
Forge welding processes
Brazing and soldering
Adhesive bonding and mechanical fastening
Joining titanium to other metals
Workshop practice
Open air welding
Preparation of the joint for welding
Welding techniques
Evaluation of weld quality
Visual inspection
Repair of defects
Distortion and stress relief
The dos and donts of welding
Standards and specifications
For further help
TIG members

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
25
26
28
29
30
31
32
33

Titanium alloy (grade 5) fabricated structure for high

specification military application

Keyhole plasma welding

WHY USE TITANIUM

Light, strong titanium should be considered for applications wherever weight or space are factors or corrosion/erosion is a problem.
In all fields of engineering, designers, fabricators and
end users are ready to consider titanium for an ever
widening range of applications. The metal and its alloys
are no longer seen as exotic. Outdated and misguided
notions about cost, availability, and fabrication are less
likely than ever to prejudice engineers who can see for
themselves all the excellent benefits which titanium
offers. This brochure has been compiled to show how
the metal s reputation for being difficult to weld, is both
misleading and inappropriate. Titanium alloys joined by
any one of a wide range of welding processes are
routinely at work in applications as widely differing as
aero engines, offshore platform pipework, implants for
the human body and ultra lightweight roofing. Practical
and competitive welding processes ensure there are
today few other materials that can approach,
economically or technically, the performance provided
by titanium.
Titanium is as strong as steel, yet 45% lighter. Titanium
alloys will work continuously at temperatures up to
600C, resisting creep and oxidation, and down to liquid
nitrogen temperatures without loss of toughness.
Titanium will survive indefinitely without corrosion in
seawater, and most chloride environments. The
metallurgical characteristics which give titanium its
favourable properties can be reproduced, by selection
of an appropriate practice, in welded joints for most
titanium alloys. The oxide film, which is the basis of the
metals corrosion resistance forms equally over welds
and heat affected zones as over parent metal, and other
than in a few very harsh environments, weldments
perform identically to parent metal in corrosion resistant
service.
The wide range of available titanium alloys enables
designers to select materials and forms closely tailored
to the needs of the application. The versatility of two
basic compositions is such however that they continue
to satisfy the majority of applications, and this level of
common use remains a major factor in the cost effective
production, procurement and application of titanium.
The two compositions are commercially pure titanium,
(ASTM Grade 2), selected for basic corrosion resistance
with strength in the range 350 - 450MPa, and high
strength titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V, (900 - 1100MPa).
Welding consumables are readily available for these
grades. Although there are other weldable alloys,
consumables for these may need to be obtained from
specialist sources. The full range of titanium alloys
reaches from high ductility commercially pure titanium
used where extreme formability is essential, in

applications such as plate heat exchangers and

architectural cladding and roofing, to fully heat treatable
alloys with strength above 1500MPa. Corrosion resistant
alloys are capable of withstanding attack in the most
aggressive sour oil and gas environments or geothermal
brines at temperatures above 250C. High strength
oxidation and creep resistant alloys see service in aero
engines at temperatures up to 600C. Suitable welding
processes are essential for the application and
performance of titanium to be optimised in most of these
uses.
Improving the understanding of welding titanium and
the preservation of its properties after joining are design
steps towards increased flexibility in materials selection
and use, resulting in improved quality and performance
of products and processes. In this way, the technical
superiority of titanium will be confirmed for even more
engineering applications than at present, to the mutual
benefit of the titanium industry and its customers.
What is the cost? This question frequently comes
first. The price per kilo of titanium is no guide to the cost
of a properly designed component, or piece of
equipment. First cost is in any event only one part of the
full cost equation. Maintenance, downtime and
replacement costs which may be a very significant
element in plant designed for long and reliable service
life are another. In this area, welding plays a significant
role, ensuring that the performance of a titanium
fabrication matches that of the metal overall. Additional
costs of energy associated with operating unnecessarily
heavy or thermally inefficient equipment may be a third
penalty on life cycle costs. Titanium is frequently specified
for its ability to cut costs through reliable and efficient
performance. Titanium welded tube is for example
installed in steam turbine condensers and welded pipe
in nuclear power plant service water applications with
40 year performance guarantees against corrosion failure.
One manufacturer offers a 100 year warranty on its metal
supplied for architectural applications.
It is not possible in this guide to give an absolute
cost or an accurate comparison of cost for the different
welding processes described. The equipment capabilities
and cost structures of equally competent welding
contractors frequently results in a range of prices being
offered for the same basic job. Some processes are,
however, intrinsically more expensive than others. Always
seek advice from an appropriate welding specialist or
contractor before attempting to develop a budget or
notional cost for a welding project.

PROPERTIES OF TITANIUM AND ITS ALLOYS

A convenient and widely used system for specific
identification of the various grades of commercially pure
titanium and titanium alloys used for engineering and
corrosion resisting applications is provided by ASTM
which cover all the forms supplied in titanium and its
alloys:B 265 - Strip Sheet and Plate
B 337 - Seamless and Welded Pipe
B 338 - Seamless and Welded Tube
B 348 - Bars and Billets
B 363 - Seamless and Welded Fittings
B 367 - Castings
B 381 - Forgings
B 861 - Seamless Pipe (to replace B337)
B 862 - Welded Pipe
B 863 -Wire
F 67 - Unalloyed Titanium for Surgical Applications
F 136 - Ti-6Al-4V for Surgical Applications
Grades 1,2,3,4 are commercially pure (alpha)
titanium, used primarily for corrosion resistance. Strength
and hardness increase, and ductility reduces with grade
number. Grade 2 is the most widely used specification
in all product forms. Grade 1 is specified when superior
formability is required. Grades 3 and 4 are used where
higher levels of strength are necessary.
Grades 7, 11, 16, 17, also alpha alloys, contain
palladium (Pd) and provide superior corrosion resistance
in particular to reducing acid chlorides. Grades 26 and
27 are similarly also alpha alloys, and contain .1%
ruthenium (Ru) to provide enhanced corrosion resistance
in reducing environments. The mechanical properties of
grades 7, 16 and 26 are identical to those of Grade 2.
The mechanical properties of grades 11, 17 and 27 are
similarly identical to those of Grade 1.
Grade 12 (alpha) also offers superior corrosion
resistance to commercially pure titanium, but is stronger
and retains useful levels of strength up to 300C.

Grade 5 is the workhorse alpha-beta alloy of the

titanium range. It is also specified with reduced oxygen
content (ELI) for enhanced toughness (Grade 23), and
with addition of .05% palladium for added corrosion
resistance, (Grade 24) and with palladium and nickel
(Grade 25). Current interest in this alloy for marine
applications is focused upon Grade 23 with .05%
palladium or Grade 29 with .1% ruthenium. Restrictions
on fabricability may limit availability in certain products.
Grade 9, (near alpha) has good fabricability and
medium levels of strength. Grade 18 (Grade 9 + .05%
Pd) and Grade 28, (Grade 9 + .1% Ru) offer enhanced
corrosion resistance.
Beta-C and TIMETAL21S are high strength highly
corrosion resistant beta alloys in the ASTM range. They
are respectively Grade 19, and Grade 21. (The
counterpart of Grade 19 with .05% Pd is Grade 20).
Grade 32 (Navy alloy) has good weldability together with
high toughness and resistance to stress corrosion
cracking in marine environments. Grade 21,
(TIMETAL21S) and Grade 32, (TIMETAL5111) are also
available with the addition of .05% palladium.
Weldments in ASTM grade 2 are normally
characterised by increased strength, accompanied by a
reduction of ductility and fracture toughness. Any
strengthening induced by cold work will be lost in the
joint region. Weldments in Ti-6Al-4V typically exhibit nearmatching strengths to the base metal, but have lower
ductility. The toughness of the weld zone is superior to
alpha-beta processed material, showing similar values
to alpha-beta processed parent alloys. Some examples
of actual weld properties are given for processes
described in the text, but you are strongly advised to
consult with your welding specialist in cases where weld
performance is critical in your design.

Typical mechanical properties and physical properties of titanium and titanium alloys (100MPa = approx. 15 ksi)

Designation

Alloy Type
0.2% Proof Stress MPa
Tensile Strength MPa
Elongation %
Tensile Modulus GPa
Torosion Modulus GPa
Hardness HV
Density kg/1
Thermal Expansion 10-6/C
Conductivity W/mK
Specific Heat J/kg/C

Commerically
Pure Titanium

Medium
Strength
Alloys

High
Strength
Alloys

Highest
Strength

Alpha

Alpha-Beta

Alpha-Beta

Beta

345 - 480
480 - 620
20 - 25
103
45
160 - 220
4.51
8.9
22
525

480 - 550
600 - 650
15 -20
104
43
200 - 280
4.48 - 4.51
8.3
8.0
544

725 - 1000
830 - 1100
8 - 15
110 - 120
40 - 48
300 - 400
4.43 - 4.60
8.9
6.7
565

1100 - 1400
1200 - 1500
6 - 12
69 - 110
38 - 45
360 - 450
4.81 - 4.93
7.2 - 9.5
6.3 - 7.6
490 - 524

JOINING TITANIUM AND ITS ALLOYS

WELDABILITY
Most titanium alloys can be fusion welded and all alloys
can be joined by solid state processes (see table).
Indeed, Welds in titanium are substantially immune to
many of the weld cracking problems that cause trouble
with ferrous alloy fabrications. Despite this and other
beneficial characteristics, some engineers still believe
that titanium is difficult to weld, possibly due to its
particular requirements with regard to gas shielding, or
because it has normally been handled only by specialist
fabricators. Titanium is actually easy to weld by most
processes, as are most of its more common alloys.
Embrittlement through contamination with air and
carbonaceous materials poses the biggest threat to
successful fusion welding titanium, so the area to be
welded must be clean and protected by inert gas while
hot. The means to protect the weldment with inert gas
are commercially available and easy to implement.

Welding consumables are readily available for the

common titanium grades and specifications for welding
wire are provided in AWS Specification A5.16. Permissible
filler metal, normally identical to the parent metal, may
be specified as in ASTM B 862.
The weldability of titanium alloys is usually assessed
on the basis of the toughness and ductility of the weld
metal. Commercially pure grades are considered very
easy to fabricate and are ordinarily used in the as-welded
condition. Titanium alloys show reduced weld metal
ductility and toughness. The table below highlights the
weldability of the common ASTM titanium grades and
other alloys. Technical consultation should be sought
prior to designing or fabricating any of the titanium alloys,
if there is any likelihood of problems arising from
unfamiliarity with the materials concerned.

Weldability of the common ASTM grades

ASTM Grades
1,2,3,4,7,11,12,13
14,15,16,17,26,27
9,18,28
5,23,24,29
21
6,6ELI

Weldability

Comments

Excellent

Commercially pure and low alloy grades

with minor additions of Pd, Ru, Mo etc
Ti-3A1-2.5V grades
Ti-6A1-4V grades
Beta alloy
Ti-5A1-2.5Sn

Excellent
Fair-good
Excellent
Good-excellent

Weldability of selected non-ASTM Ti alloys

Alloy

Weldability

Comments

Ti-6A1-2Sn-4Zr-2Mo

Fair-good

Ti-6A1-2Sn-4Zr-6Mo
Beta III
Ti-15V-3A1-3Sn-3Cr

Limited
Excellent
Excellent

Common aerospace alpha

& beta grade
Aerospace alpha & beta grade
Beta alloy
Beta alloy

Welding of a titanium fuel tank for the record breaking

Breitling Orbiter III balloon (Bunting Titanium)

Fabrication of a large titanium pressure vessel

(Bunting Titanium)

ARC WELDING PROCESSES

TUNGSTEN INERT GAS (TIG) WELDING
Tungsten inert gas welding is also known as tungsten
arc welding and gas-tungsten arc welding (GTAW) and
is currently the most commonly applied joining process
for titanium and its alloys. Titanium is one of the easiest
of metals to weld by the TIG process; the weld pool is
fluid and its combination of low density and high surface
tension enables good control of the weld surface profile
and penetration, even when unsupported. An arc
between the tungsten alloy electrode and workpiece
obtains fusion of the joint region, while an inert gas (the
torch gas) sustains the arc and protects the tungsten
electrode and molten metal from atmospheric
contamination. The inert gas is typically argon, but a
mixture of helium and argon can be used to increase
penetration or speed. Welds can be made autogenously
(i.e. without filler addition) or with addition of a
consumable wire into the arc. The TIG process is fully
capable of operating in all welding positions and is the
only process that is routinely used for orbital welding.
Specialist orbital welding equipment is commercially
available for a wide range of component diameters and
often has the added advantage of incorporating the inert
gas trailing shield necessary for titanium fabrication.

TIG (GTAW)
Advantages
Manual or mechanised process
All position capabilty
Capable of producing high quality welds
Significant industrial experience
No weld spatter
Disadvantages
Low productivity
Tungsten inclusions if electrode touches
weld pool
Higher productivity variants of the TIG process have
been applied to titanium. Hot wire TIG enables a greater
fill rate to be achieved, improving productivity on
multipass welds required for heavier section thicknesses.
Activated TIG (A-TIG) achieves deeper penetration
through the use of a special flux sprayed onto the joint
surfaces prior to welding. The latter process has had
particular success for welding stainless steels, but its
potential application to titanium joints has yet to be fully
exploited.

Typical tensile properties of TIG weldments

Tensile Strength
(MPa)

Proof Stress
(MPa)

Elongation (%)

Alloy

Grade 2
Ti-6A1-4V
Ti-3A1-2.5V

Parent
460
1000
705

Parent
325
900
670

Parent
26
14
15

Example welding parameters (1mm =.04inch)

Weld
510
1020
745

Weld
380
880
625

Weld
18
8
12

Manual TIG welding of a titanium vessel (Bunting Titanium)

METAL INERT GAS (MIG) WELDING

The MIG process has not been applied as widely to
titanium as it has been to ferrous and other non-ferrous
alloys. Many of the historical reasons why MIG welding
has not been favoured for titanium no longer apply. High
currents are required for stable metal transfer and the
poor surfaces originally produced on titanium wire
caused rapid contact tip wear. More recently, the
combination of modern inverter power sources with
pulsed currents gives more stable metal transfer, whilst
the improved surface finish of titanium wire has reduced
contact tip wear such that the problem is barely apparent
in development work.

MIG (GGAW)
Advantages
Manual or mechanised process
All position capabilty
Better productivity than TIG welding
Disadvantages
Weld Spatter

combination with argon-helium (Ar-He) shielding gas.

In MIG welding, an arc is generated between a
continuously fed consumable electrode (a wire of
matching composition to the base material) and the
workpiece. Spray transfer occurs above a critical welding
current density and requires the use of direct current
with the electrode positive. This method demands high
currents and therefore high welding speeds, which in
turn require long trailing shields, and effectively restricts
the process to mechanised welding. Dip transfer,
whereby the electrode comes into contact with the weld
pool, can be used for semi-mechanised welding, typically
for sheet material, but defects, caused by lack of fusion,
can be a problem. Pulsed MIG appears to be the most
satisfactory process, especially when used in

MIG welding offers greater productivity than TIG

welding, especially for completing thicker section joints.
As yet the process has been typically applied to joints
for which exceptional weld quality is not critical, e.g.
appliqu armour plate, but with development the process
may be capable of satisfying higher quality welding
requirements. A disadvantage of the process is that some
degree of weld spatter appears to be unavoidable.
Spatter can be reduced by employing Ar-He torch
shielding gas mixtures: the addition of helium acting to
stabilise the arc. Even so, in most instances spatter
removal poses no problem.

MIG weld in 20mm thick Ti-6Al-4V

Properties of a MIG weld in 6mm thick Ti-6Al-4V
Region
Base Metal
Weld Metal

Tensile Strength
(MPa)

Proof Stress
(MPa)

Elongation
(%)

987
979

934
848

17
8

PAW operating in the keyhole mode

Properties of a keyhole plasma arc weld in 14mm

(.55)thick Ti-6Al-4V
Property

Tensile Strength (MPa)

Proof Stress (MPa)
Elongation (%)
CTODm (mm)
Kmax (MPa)

Base
Metal

Weld
Metal

987
934
17
0.017
50.8

979
848
8
0.044
71.4

PAW

PLASMA ARC (PAW) WELDING

Plasma arc welding retains the high quality associated
with TIG welding whilst having significant penetration
and speed advantages. Similar to TIG, heat is transferred
by an arc generated between a tungsten electrode and
the workpiece; but, in the PAW process the arc is
constricted by a copper alloy orifice to form a highly
collimated arc column (see figure). In addition to a
surrounding shielding gas, a plasma gas flows through
the copper orifice and a portion of this is ionised
producing the characteristic plasma jet. In the
conduction-limited mode a weld pool similar to that
produced during TIG welding is generated, whilst in the
keyhole mode, the plasma jet fully penetrates the joint.
Molten metal flows around the keyhole and solidifies
behind the plasma jet as the torch traverses along the
joint line. In many ways the keyhole plasma arc process
is akin to a slower version of one of the power beam
processes (electron beam and laser welding). A third
process variation exists, referred to as microplasma arc
welding. This is simply a low current variant (typically
0.1-15A) of the conduction-limited mode, suitable for
producing small controlled weld beads. Welding is
generally performed with continuous direct current with
the electrode negative (DCEN), but a pulsed current can
be used to broaden the tolerance window of welding
parameters which produce acceptable welds.
Plasma arc welding offers significant productivity gains
over both TIG and MIG, especially when operated in the
keyhole mode. Although welds are only typically made
in the 1G or 2G positions, single pass welds can be made
in material up to 18mm thick. Furthermore, the keyhole
PAW process appears to offer greater immunity to weld
metal porosity than any other fusion welding process.
Because introduction of filler into the arc can cause
instabilities in the gas plasma, keyhole PAW is normally
performed autogenously, thus a small amount of underfill
is typical. Completing a second pass, adding filler with
the same torch operated in the conduction-limited
mode, or alternatively using TIG welding, can correct
this. Pipe circumferential welding (e.g. pipe joints) is

Keyhole PAW is used extensively in the fabrication of the

Ti-6Al-4V VSEL lightweight field gun.

Advantages
Faster than TIG
Single pass welds possible in material up to
18mm thick
Greater immunity to weld metal porosity
than any other fusion process
Disadvantages
Lmited positional capability
certainly possible, but requires a controlled slope-down
of the plasma gas flow rate and arc power to avoid any
porosity defects at the stop position.

FLUXED WELDING PROCESSES

The application of fluxed welding processes such as
submerged arc, electroslag and flux cored arc welding
have been investigated and reportedly used in the former
Soviet Union for welding thick section titanium alloy. The
main difficulty is the selection of an appropriate flux;
oxides cannot be used these would contaminate the weld
metal and, for similar reasons, fluxes should not be
hygroscopic (i.e. adsorb moisture). Most of the fluxes
have been rare earth and/or alkaline metal-based
halogens and have been reported to produce
contaminant-free welds. Some tests carried out in the
UK on commercially pure titanium showed mechanical
properties in conformance with ANSI standards. Work
performed at the Paton Institute, Kiev has shown that
joints can be produced in titanium alloys with
performance comparable to those of TIG welds. In
practice, however, the quality of welds made using fluxes
is suspect, since the opportunities for contamination and
slag inclusions are significant. Due to these intrinsic risks,
fluxed welding processes cannot currently be
recommended for joining titanium. Further research into
these welding methods is needed but the improvements
to be gained, over conventional arc welding, are
considerable and could present major cost savings for
thick section titanium alloy fabrication.

MIG welding has found application for appliqu armour plate

such as for the General Dynamics M1 Abrams tank.

POWER BEAM WELDING PROCESSES

LASER WELDING

ELECTRON BEAM WELDING

Laser welding is finding increasing application for

titanium, for example in the production of welded tube
and pipe. The process, which offers low distortion and
good productivity, is potentially more flexible than TIG
or electron beam for automated welding. Application is

Electron beam (EB) welding has traditionally been the

preferred process for making critical joints in titanium
alloys. High quality welds can be produced with low
distortion and with high reliability. Productivity can also
be good, especially for thick sections which can be
welded readily in a single pass. Conventional electron
beam welding is performed in a vacuum of about 10-4

Laser Welding
Advantages
Automated process
High welding speed
Fibre optic beam delivery with Nd-YAG
Disadvantages
Expensive equipment
Thickness limited with Nd-YAG
Weld Spatter

not restricted by a requirement to evacuate the joint

region. Furthermore, laser beams can be directed,
enabling a large range of component configurations to
be joined using different welding positions. CO2 lasers
offer the greatest power range, with single pass welds
possible in 20mm thick titanium using 25kW systems.
Nd-YAG laser welding offers superior flexibility due to
the possibility of fibre optic beam delivery systems, but
penetration is restricted by a lower power capability.
Laser welds can suffer from weld spatter, which may
pose a problem on the root surface, particularly if
postweld access is restricted.

RPEB weld in 13mm thick Ti-6Al-4V

Electron Beam Welding

Advantages
Automated process
Single pass welding of thick sections
No filler or gas shield required
Significant industrial experience
Disadvantages
Expensive equipment
Component size limited by vacuum
chamber (not applicable for RPEB)
mbar, requiring a sealed chamber and pumping system.
This adds to the capital cost of the equipment, especially
for large components. A further drawback for large
components is the extended time it takes to achieve a
vacuum in the chamber, decreasing productivity.
However, electron beam guns have been designed which
can operate at lower vacuum or near atmospheric
pressure. So called reduced pressure electron beam
(RPEB) welding shows great promise for decreasing costs
and increasing productivity beyond that achievable using
conventional EB welding. Simple seals can be used to
isolate the joint region of a large component, which is
evacuated to a pressure of around 10-1mbar (achievable
using inexpensive mechanical vacuum pumps). An RPEB
steel pipe J-laying system is currently under development
at TWI. High quality welds have also been produced in
titanium alloy pipe and plate.
Laser weld 10mm (.4) thick Gr 2 joined to Ti-6Al-4V

RESISTANCE WELDING
INTRODUCTION

SEAM WELDING

Resistance welding of titanium is quite straightforward

and is aided by the metals high resistivity and low
thermal conductivity. The associated processes rely on
the heat generated by the resistance to electrical current
flowing through the workpiece to fuse the metal with
the joint. Shaped electrodes apply the current and
pressure required to make a localised weld. As with other
joining processes, cleanliness of the abutting joint faces
is essential for a successful weld. Experience gained with
stainless steels is relevant for resistance welding
commercially pure titanium grades, since the resistivity
and thermal conductivity of the two metals are similar.
Titanium alloys, however, have quite different thermal
and electrical characteristics and should not be welded
using parameters established for stainless steel.

Continuous or intermittent seam welds are made

using rotating disc electrodes, again with a spherical
contact profile, and the repeated application of brief
electrical pulses. During welding, the electrode is rotated,
traversing the contact position along the joint line. Inert
gas shielding or flood water cooling may be desirable
for seam welds since the repeated thermal cycles can
result in the accumulation of heat and subsequent
oxidation.

Resistance Welding
Advantages
Automated process
Low distortion
Spot welds do not require gas shielding
Disadvantages
Poor fatigue strength
Limited to sheet material

SPOT WELDING
Spot welding is performed using copper alloy
electrodes with a spherical face, a current of 5-10kA
(increasing with sheet thickness) and an electrode force
of several kiloNewtons. Inert gas shielding is not required
for spot welding since the thermal cycle resulting from
the brief electrical pulse is extremely rapid, minimising
local oxidation.

TITANIUM RESISTA-CLADTM PLATE

This patented process is principally used to supply
requirements for vessel cladding and flue gas
desulphurisation (FGD) duct and flue linings. Electrical
resistance heating is used to bond titanium to a less
expensive steel backing, using an intermediate stainless
steel mesh. The bond is a seam 12.7mm (0.5 inch) wide,
having typical shear and peel strengths of 303MPa and
15kg/m respectively. The seams can be spaced to meet
the application requirements of stresses imposed in
service by gravity, vibration, thermal expansion and
pressure cycling.
Pre-bonded sheets are supplied for installation with
the titanium offset on two sides to permit overlap and
fillet seal welding of adjoining sheets. For retrofit
installations, the thicknesses of titanium and the backing
steel would each be 1.6mm, (1/16 inch). For new build,
the titanium sheet can be recessed on all sides to allow
butt welding of the steel backer, followed by seal welding
of a titanium batten strip. Here, the thickness of the
titanium is 1.6mm, but the steel backer may be heavier
up to 25.4mm (1 inch), or as required by the operating
conditions of the vessel or structure.
Resista-CladTM plate. Methods of application

A spot weld in ASTM grade 2 sheet

Typical pattern of steel

wall attachment and
overlap of Ti Resista-Clad
plates for retofit linings.

Typical Ti attachment and

Resista-Clad plate
contruction for new or total
duct/vessel wall construction.

FRICTION WELDING PROCESSES

INTRODUCTION
There are approximately 20 variants of friction welding,
most of which could be applied to titanium and its alloys.
In practice only a few of these are used industrially to
join titanium. An important feature of friction welding is
its ability to join titanium to other materials, which,
although often requiring an intermediate material, is
virtually impossible to do by any process involving fusion.
The advantages of friction welding include no need for
shielding gases for most processes, very rapid
completion rates, and good mechanical properties. Most
welds result in flash formation, which typically must be
removed. The main process variants are described below:

Friction Welding - general comments

Advantages
Rapid one shot processes
Fully automated
Can join dissimilar Ti alloys
Potential to join Ti to some other materials
Disadvantages
Exquipment may be expensive
Inspection can be difficult

ROTARY FRICTION WELDING

There are two main variants of rotary friction welding;
the continuous drive and inertia processes. In the
continuous drive rotary friction welding process, a
component in bar or tube form is rotated under pressure
against a similar component, or one of larger dimensions,

Rotary Friction Welding

Advantages
Extensive industrial experience
No shielding gas or filler
Disadvantages
Rotational symmetry required

Schematic diagrams of the two rotary friction welding variants

under an applied pressure. Frictional heat develops,

causing the material close to the rubbing surfaces to
soften and flow. After a certain displacement distance
(called burn-off) has been reached, the rotation is
stopped rapidly, and the contact force increased to
provide a forging action to consolidate the joint. Any
interfacial contamination is expelled with the flash that
is extruded from the joint.
Inertia friction welding has one component attached
to a flywheel, and spun to a predetermined rotation
speed before being pushed against the other component
under pressure. The braking action results in the
generation of frictional heating, and the formation of a
weld. Inertia friction welding delivers energy at a
decreasing rate through the weld cycle, whereas
continuous drive friction welding delivers energy at a
constant rate. Inertia welding is more commonly used
in the USA, and less so in Europe, where continuous
drive welding is predominant.
Rotary friction weld in 13mm thick Ti-6Al-4V pipe

Properties of a rotary friction weld in Ti-6Al-4V

Region
Base Metal
Weld Zone

10

Tensile Strength
(MPa)

Proof Stress
(MPa)

Elongation
(%)

949
994

834
854

15
11

FRICTION STUD WELDING

Friction stud welding equipment is portable and can be
used in-situ in remote and adverse environments. Like other
friction welding processes the added advantages of friction
stud welding are its rapidity at completing the joint and its
ability to join to dissimilar metals. Current applications
include stud attachment to architectural titanium panels.

RADIAL FRICTION WELDING

One drawback of rotary friction welding is the necessity
to rotate one of the components. With small parts this
is not normally a problem, but for example with long
lengths of pipe there are obvious potential difficulties.
One solution to this is to use radial friction welding, in
which the pipes are held stationary, and a V section ring
of narrower angle than the edge preparation in the pipe
is rotated between them using a continuous drive
mechanism, and simultaneously compressed radially to
force the ring into the joint. The equipment required for
this process is more complex than that required for rotary
friction welding, as it requires a radial compression unit,
and also an internal mandrel to resist the high radial loads.
One advantage of the internal mandrel is that the internal
flash is eliminated, although there is generally a small
reduction of internal diameter which may need to be
removed.
Schematic diagram of radial friction welding process

Radial Friction Welding

Advantages
No shielding gas required
Neither component is rotated during
welding
No bore flash
Disadvantages
Expensive equipment
Internal bore support required

Properties of radial friction weld in Ti-6Al-4V-0.1Ru

Region

Base Metal
Ring (as-received)
Ring (as-welded)
Cross-weld

Tensile
Strength
(MPa)

Proof
Stress
(MPa)

Elongation
(%)

910
885
1055
900

840
795
925
820

14
11
9
9

LINEAR FRICTION WELDING

This process variant was designed to eliminate the
need for rotational symmetry in one or both of the parts
being joined, and as a result the process can successfully
join parts of differing section. As its name implies, linear
friction welding uses a reciprocating linear motion to
provide the friction. The frequency is typically 25 to
100Hz, with an amplitude of +/- 2mm.

Stolt Comexs radial friction welding pipe laying barge

The process will be used extensively in the aeroengine industry, in particular for joining compressor
blades to disks, but has not been taken up by other
industrial sectors for joining any metal. However, a close
variant of the process, vibration welding, is used
extensively in several industries for joining
thermoplastics.

Linear Friction Welding

Advantages
Shielding gas not required
Very good positional accuracy
Rotational symmetry not required
Disadvantages
Expensive equipment

11

ORBITAL FRICTION WELDING

In this process, one component is moved against the
other in an orbital motion. This removes the requirement
for symmetry in both of the components.

FRICTION STIR WELDING

This novel process has been well developed for
aluminium alloys. Progress is being made for its
application to titanium alloys, although it will be some
time before it can be considered a competitive process.
A number of advantages have already been
demonstrated for aluminium that may also apply to
titanium. Friction stir welding involves moving a small
rotating tool between close butted components.
Frictional heating causes the material to soften, and the
forward motion of the tool forces material from the front
of the tool to the back, where it consolidates to form a
solid state weld. The process combines the flexibility of
mechanised arc welding with the excellent characteristics
of a friction weld. Progress has been swift in developing
the technology for titanium and development welds have
been completed successfully at TWI.

THIRD BODY FRICTION WELDING

Third body friction welding is a useful technique for
joining dissimilar materials which cannot normally be
joined by conventional friction welding. In this process,
one component is rotated and plunged into a hole in
the second component, into which a third material has

Schematic diagrams of the above welding processes

12

Friction Stir Welding

Advantages
No filler
Low distortion
Fully mechanised
Increasing industrial usage for non-ferrous
alloys
Disadvantages
Still under development for titanium
Gas shield required

been placed. This third material can be a metal which

softens at a lower temperature than either of the two
components being joined, or it can be a brazing alloy.

FRICTION TAPER PLUG WELDING

In this process a tapered plug is rotated and plunged
into a pre-machined hole. It was developed for weld
repair of alloys that are difficult to fusion weld or are in
a hazardous environment. By placing overlapping friction
taper plugs into the material, linear features (such as
cracks) can also be repaired. This is known as Friction
Taper Stitch welding.

DIFFUSION BONDING
CONVENTIONAL DIFFUSION BONDING
Titanium is the easiest of all common engineering
materials to join by diffusion bonding, due to its ability
to dissolve its own oxide at bonding temperatures.
Conventional diffusion bonding is a slow process, and
requires careful control of temperature, and joint face
alignment. The process also needs to be undertaken in
a vacuum. Under ideal conditions a bond of very high
quality can be made with no flash formation. However,
the process is slow, and requires considerable precision,
making it unattractive for field use, although it has been
widely used in the aerospace industry, in particular in
conjunction with superplastic forming. The process,
including superplastic forming, is also used in the

successful development of titanium compact heat

exchangers.
Diffusion Bonding
Advantages
Limited microstructural changes
Can join dissimilar Ti alloys
No filler required
Can fabricate very complex shapes,
especially using superplastic forming
Disadvantages
Slow
High vacuum required
Expensive equipment

Rolls Lavals diffusion bonded compact heat exchanger

Rolls Royces SPFDB front fan blade for the Trent 800

ELECTRON BEAM DIFFUSION BONDING

without the risk of plastic collapse of the components

being welded, resulting in a significant reduction of
welding time, typically by an order of magnitude. The
process has been investigated for joining several titanium
aluminide alloys to themselves and other titanium alloys,
and for joining titanium alloys. Very good results have
been reported from these trials, but to date the process
has not been used commercially.

This process is a variant of diffusion bonding in which

only the interface region is heated, resulting in a
considerable energy saving. The heating source is an
electron beam which is swept over the area of the joint
at such a speed that fusion of the titanium alloy is
prevented. A force is applied across the joint. As the
heated area is very limited, higher forces can be used

13

FORGE WELDING PROCESSES

FLASH BUTT WELDING
Flash welding is a forge welding process in which
heat is generated by resistance when a large current is
passed across the surfaces to be joined. During the initial
flashing stage points of contact resistance heat, melt
and blow out of the joint as the faces are progressively
moved together at a predetermined rate. When a critical
metal displacement has been reached the faces are
forged together rapidly to consolidate the weld.
The process has been used for many years for the

Flash Butt Welding

Advantages
Very rapid weld time
Single shot process
Disadvantages
Flash removal required
Inspection may be difficult

production of aeroengine stator rings, and with suitable

equipment is capable of joining pipe and other extruded
sections of any configuration. Properties close to those
of the parent metal are obtained from substantially defect
free joints.

HOMOPOLAR WELDING
Homopolar welding is a new method currently under
development in the USA, where it has been developed
primarily for welding pipes. Kinetic energy stored in a
flywheel is rapidly converted to a high direct current low
voltage electrical pulse using a homopolar generator, and
The explosive bonding process

14

this high current pulse is passed across a closely butted

weld joint, causing a resistance weld to be made. A high
axial load is also applied, causing softened material to
be expelled. Neither of the components has to be
rotated, and no shielding gas is required. Trials have been
undertaken on titanium, apparently successfully, but
results have yet to be published.

EXPLOSIVE BONDING
Explosive bonding should be considered for
applications when a thin uniform lining of titanium is
required on a base metal. The technique is regularly used
for the production of high pressure tubeplates for tube
and shell heat exchangers, reaction vessels, chlorine
generators, and for lined plant and ductwork subject to
negative pressure. In the process, thin titanium sheet is
placed at a closely controlled distance on top of a backing
plate. Explosive spread uniformly on top of the titanium
is detonated from a single point, the explosion driving
the titanium down across the air gap to impact on the
backing metal. A jet of surface oxides is expressed from
the apex of the collapse angle formed, and this removes
any residual contamination from the mating surfaces,
producing a metallurgical bond of wave-like form and
guaranteed shear strength. The continuity of the bond
can be confirmed ultrasonically. All low to medium
strength titanium grades, (ASTM 1, 2, 7, 11, 12, 16, 17,
26, 27), can be bonded typically down to 2mm (.08
inch) thick onto a variety of ferrous or non ferrous backing
plates, nominally 12.7mm (.5 inch) or thicker. Plates have
been produced up to 3.5 metres (137 inch) diameter or
15 sq. metres area (160 sq. ft.).

Cross-section of an explosively bonded steel to titanium joint.

BRAZING
CONVENTIONAL BRAZING
Titanium alloys have been brazed successfully using
silver, aluminium and titanium alloy braze metals.
Although there are many variants, only vacuum brazing
has significant application for titanium due to the
requirement to protect the base metal from oxidation.
However, development work has been performed in the
use of sliver chloride-lithium fluoride fluxes and TIG
brazing has proven successful in some applications. Silver
alloy brazes were the first to be applied to titanium and
commercially pure silver, silver alloys with copper and
manganese, and silvercopper alloys with zinc and tin
have all shown some success. Although joints tend to
have good ductility, strength is poor at elevated
temperatures and corrosion resistance is poor in
chloride-containing environments. However, the silver
alloy braze metals have liquidus temperatures below the
beta transus of alloys such as Ti-6Al-4V, thus the brazing
cycle will have little or no effect on the base metal
microstructure and properties. The use of aluminiumsilicon fillers also enables low temperature brazing to be
performed, with the added benefit of decreased weight.
It is crucial, however, to maintain as short a braze cycle
as possible to minimise the formation of brittle
intermetallics.

Brazing
Advantages
Complex geometrys can be joined
Dissimilar metal joints are possible
Disadvantages
Slow, unless batch processing is possible
Must be performed in a vacuum
Galvanic corrosion may limit application

Titanium alloy brazing alloys are by far the most

common for joining titanium, the most available
commercial alloys being titanium-copper-nickel alloys.
These offer high strength and good corrosion resistance,
but the most readily available alloy (Ti-15Cu-15Ni)
requires brazing at temperatures over 1000C (1830F).
A Ti-20Cu-20Ni alloy and amorphous Ti-Zr-Cu-Ni braze
foil have been developed for brazing at lower
temperatures (850 and 950C, (1560 - 1740F)
respectively). These have advantages for application with
Ti-6Al-4V. For the highest temperature joint applications,
palladium based alloys have been used although brazing
must also be performed at high temperatures.
The brazing process offers the capability of dissimilar
metal joining, using a silver alloy braze metal. Dissimilar
titanium alloy and titanium to ferrous, nickel and

refractory metal joints are possible. Complex

configurations can be joined, limited only by the necessity
to maintain closely abutting joint faces.
Titanium brazed with a silver braze metal.

TRANSIENT LIQUID PHASE BONDING

This process has been described as a diffusion
bonding process, but transient liquid phase (TLP) bonding
has more in common with brazing than diffusion bonding.
An interlayer, or melting point suppressant, is placed
between the joint faces prior to heating in a vacuum.
The interlayer material is chosen to react with the base
metal, forming a eutectic liquid at the joining
temperature. The reaction progresses until the liquid
metal resolidifies isothermally, leaving a joint
microstructurally similar to the base metal. Pure nickel
and copper, and copper-nickel alloy interlayers have
shown good performance for joining titanium alloys. A
further benefit of the process over conventional brazing
is the reduced weight of the structures, since only a very
thin interlayer is required. However, a significant
perpendicular load must be applied to the components
to maintain good surface contact during the bonding
process.

SOLDERING
Titanium is extremely difficult to solder because of
the same properties that confer its superb corrosion
resistance - the tenacity and stability of its surface oxide.
Conventional soldering methods depend on aggressive
fluxes to allow the solder alloy to wet the surface of the
base metal. None of the conventional fluxes is effective
for titanium and so the surface is typically precoated
with a more compatible metal, such as copper, by PVD
or sputter coating. It is also possible to tin the surface
of the titanium by extended immersion in a molten tin
bath at 600C (1110F); the titanium oxide is adsorbed
by the base metal, allowing the tin to wet a non-oxidised
surface. Some success has also been reported in the
use of molten silver or tin halides, which react with the
oxide surface to produce a tin or silver coating; and in
the use of conventional fluxes whilst disrupting the
surface oxide with an ultrasonic soldering iron.

15

ADHESIVE BONDING
Adhesive Bonding

Adhesive bonding provides an alternative to welding,

particularly for joining sheet material and for joints
between titanium and non-metals such as polymer
composites. The use of adhesives is often a viable
alternative or companion process (i.e. hybrid bonding)
to resistance spot welding in joints designed to
experience predominantly shear stresses in service.
Factors such as the service environment dominate the
selection of adhesive, but this subject is too complex to
discuss in detail in this publication. The high strength of
modern structural adhesives is entirely appropriate to
the use of bonded titanium in structural applications,
although careful pre-treatment of the bond surfaces is
critical for achieving maximum properties. It is strongly

recommended that technical consultation is sought for

advice on all aspects of the bonding process.

Adhesively bonded carbon fibre composite/ titanium wishbone

of a Williams formula one racing car.

Close up of joint

Advantages
Rapid
Titanium to polymer/composite joints are
possible
Disadvantages
Poor performance in peel
Application is limited for most corrosive
environment

MECHANICAL FASTENING
Mechanical joining processes for titanium include all
types of fastener, many of which are routinely
manufactured in titanium and widely used in the
aerospace industry. Non-titanium fasteners in materials
of lower corrosion resistance compared to titanium may
be used where no danger of galvanic corrosion is present,
or where the fastening is totally isolated from the
corrosive environment.In environments which pose a risk

of galvanic corrosion, non titanium fasteners can be used

provided they are insulated from the titanium using
suitable gaskets.
Other mechanical jointing methods such as lock
seaming (e.g. in automotive exhaust box manufacture)
and overlap joints, (used for architectural panels) are
limited to the more ductile grades of the metal and its

alloys.
Selection of titanium bolts, fasteners and captive nuts

16

Both lock seaming and welding are used in the manufacture

of titanium exhaust systems

JOINING TITANIUM TO OTHER

MATERIALS
Titanium is incompatible with most other metals and
will form brittle compounds if fusion welded directly to
them. Indeed the only commercial alloys that can be
directly fusion welded to titanium are those based on
zirconium, niobium and certain other refractory alloys.
More common structural materials, such as all ferrous
and aluminium alloys, are invariably unsuitable for direct
fusion welding to titanium. Several novel joining
techniques have been adopted for making dissimilar
joints, but the range of possibilities is too vast to address
here in any detail. Many of the welding processes
discussed in the preceding sections can be applied to
dissimilar material joints between titanium and other
metals. Indeed, explosively bonded titanium clad steel
and Resista-Clad TM plate are prime examples of

successful dissimilar bonding technologies. Explosive

bonding has also been used to form transition joints
between titanium and ferrous alloys, for example titanium
pipe to stainless steel flange joints.
The following table is intended to highlight generic
processes that may be capable of fabricating joints
between titanium and other materials. These will normally
require particular practices to be adopted to achieve a
satisfactory joint. The suitability of the various processes
will depend on the components to be joined and the
properties required and it is strongly recommended that
technical consultation be sought prior to finalising a
component design incorporating dissimilar joints.

Joining processes that may be capable of forming sound joints between titanium and other materials.

Steel
Stainless Steel
Nickel alloy
Refractory
metals
Copper
Aluminium
Cobalt alloy
Ceramics
Polymer
composites

EB

Laser

Friction1

Adhesives

Explosive
bonding

Resistance
welding

Brazing

Notes 1 Does not indicate that all friction processes are appropriate for a given dissimilar joint.

CAUTION: GALVANIC CORROSION Titanium is highly corrosion resistant, and can accelerate the corrosion of dissimilar
metals when coupled to a less noble metal. In addition to accelerated corrosion, when such a galvanic couple exists,
hydrogen can be taken up by the titanium, leading in some circumstances to hydride cracking and failure. Alloys which
occupy a similar position in the galvanic series as titanium may be safely coupled to titanium in environments which
would not ordinarily lead to corrosion of the uncoupled base metal. For example duplex and super-austenitic stainless
steel, and Ni-Cr-Mo alloys can often be safely coupled to titanium. However, it is recommended that specific technical
advice is sought for any given operating environment and dissimilar joint. Further details on simple mechanical couplings
can be found in TIG Data Sheet No 6.

SELECTION OF A WELDING
PROCESS
The foregoing sections have provided a brief
summary of the characteristics of the various joining
processes that can be used to weld titanium structures.
Most fabrication is performed by TIG welding and this
is unlikely to change, however it is crucial to the
production of low cost titanium components that higher
productivity, more cost effective processes be
considered where possible. For example, PAW often

enables significant productivity gains for a low capital

investment, while achieving similar or greater quality to
that achievable using TIG welding. More exotic
processes such as power beam and friction welding
should also be considered, since even if no in-house
capability exists, work can often be subcontracted to
experienced fabricators.

17
17

WORKSHOP PRACTICE

IN-CHAMBER WELDING

This section concentrates mainly on the practical skills

and workshop methods that are required to manufacture
welds of the highest quality. Most of these guidelines
apply to all processes, while others are more appropriate
to either fusion or solid state welding. Greatest attention
is paid to the arc welding processes, since those having
to weld titanium for the first time are most likely to use
these techniques.

Welding chambers are typically restricted to the

fabrication of smaller components. Although the use of
a chamber can be quite cumbersome and requires
significant operator skill, complete protection of the weld
root and cap is provided regardless of joint geometry or
component complexity. Rigid chambers are typically
either box section or domed and either constructed
mostly from clear plastic, or incorporate several clear
viewing panels. Flexible enclosures can also be employed
and, due to their reduced cost, are particularly suitable
for the occasional welding of titanium. It is essential that
the air content within the chamber is reduced to a very
low level, prior to commencing welding.
Fabricators who frequently weld in chambers are advised
to use an oxygen meter to continuously sample the
chamber environment (this should be <20-30ppm). For
occasional use, where the cost of an oxygen meter may
not be justified, the chamber environment can be tested
by placing a weld bead on a scrap piece of titanium; if
the weld is not discoloured then a low enough air content
in the chamber has been achieved.

WORKSHOP LAYOUT
It is preferable for a separate area to be set aside for
titanium fabrication, provided that there is sufficient work
to justify the additional expense. If this is not possible,
extreme care should be taken to segregate materials.
Titanium is similar in appearance to stainless steel and
the consequences of using a ferrous filler wire in a
titanium joint could be very costly. The entire working
area should be kept clean to avoid any contamination
during welding. Likewise, the working space should be
absolutely dry. Water is a potential source of oxygen and
hydrogen and all equipment, jigs, fixtures etc. should be
free from moisture. If equipment is found to be wet, the
safest means of drying out is to use a hot air blast or a
volatile solvent such as acetone. The fume produced
when titanium is welded is not harmful to health.
Consequently, extraction systems should be designed
to keep the general area clean without producing
noticeable draughts at the point of welding. Screens or
curtains should be used to reduce draughts locally.

INERT GAS PROTECTION

The affinity of hot titanium for gases such as oxygen,
nitrogen and hydrogen, and its embrittlement by these
gases when absorbed, means that inert gas protection
(or vacuum) is essential during welding. Conventionally,
protection is afforded to the weld bead and heat affected
region whilst hot, enough to cause oxidation.

In-chamber welding (Vickers Aerospace Components)

18

Flexible enclosure (Huntingdon Fusion Techniques)

OPEN AIR WELDING

The requirement for additional gas shielding of both
the back-face and cap regions during open-air welding
is the only significant factor which differentiates titanium
from most stainless steel fabrications. There are,
however, many commercial solutions for the protection
of titanium weldments, making both linear and
circumferential welds quite straightforward. Greater
experience is necessary for more difficult configurations,
but many commercial fabricators weld more or less
complex shapes on a regular basis.
Conventional back purging techniques, as used for
high quality stainless steel welding, are commonly
adopted for titanium. Straight runs employ a grooved
backing bar which is purged with a moderate gas flow.
For more complex configurations aluminium or copper
foil can be taped to the underside forming the necessary
channel for the gas purge. In this instance, care must be
taken to prevent the foil coming into contact with the
hot titanium. Purging dams or bladders are used to
protect the underside of circumferential welds, or difficult
to access regions. It is important that sufficient time is
allowed during back purging to reduce the air content in
the purged region to very low levels. No hard and fast
rule exists for purge time, since this depends largely on
the purged volume, its complexity and the flow rate of

Protection of the weld cap is routinely achieved by

the use of a trailing shield, however in certain
circumstances, such as a TIG root pass in a deep groove,
the use of an appropriate gas lens on the welding torch
can achieve satisfactory results. Whilst no hard and fast
rule can be stated, the ceramic nozzle is suitable for TIG
welding currents up to about 35 amps and the annular
gas lens for currents up to about 90 amps. It is stressed
that this depends on a favourable joint geometry, allowing
the torch shielding gas to flood the joint and provide
gas protection away from the torch. Welding at higher
currents or anything other than slow traverse speeds,
should be carried out with a trailing shield attached to
the torch. The argon supply to this shield is via a separate
supply rather than by diverting a proportion of the torch
argon. The body of the shield can be made from copper
or aluminium if lightness is important and should
incorporate a stainless steel woven mesh gauze for
diffusing the gas stream. The design of a successful
trailing shield requires experience, but proven
commercial products are available for circumferential,
fillet and straight welding. Their length and width depends
on the welding process: MIG and automatic TIG welding
require longer trailing shields than for manual TIG since
traverse speeds are greater. Heat resistant glass may be
employed instead of metal for shields where better
visibility is required.

Purging bladders (Huntingdon Fusion Techniques)

Trailing shields (Huntingdon Fusion Techniques

argon. Use of an oxygen meter is advised in most

instances to ensure that oxygen content of the purge
gas is lower than approximately 20ppm prior to
commencing welding. The cost of solid state oxygen
meters capable of reading to these low levels has
dropped in recent years and the capital investment can
be quickly recouped by a reduced use of argon, rework
and scrapped components. If possible welding should
be performed with touching root faces, since a root gap
makes purging of the underside significantly more
difficult. If a root gap is unavoidable then, where there is
access to the underside, a root side gas shield similar
to that used for protecting the weld cap (discussed
below), is the best solution. If access is limited, then
aluminium or copper foil can be taped over the top face
and removed ahead of the torch during the completion
of the root weld pass.

Despite the high reactivity of titanium, shielding gases

are not normally required for friction welding. Material
contaminated by exposure to air is pushed into the flash,
and can be removed. There will be some surface
discoloration close to the weld, but the depth of
contamination is very small. If the application is critical,
it may be advisable to remove this material after welding.
An exception to the lack of requirement for shielding
gases occurs when processes are used which develop
little or no flash. Friction stir welding of titanium requires
a high quality gas shield.

19

PREPARATION OF THE JOINT FOR WELDING

The need for care and planning at the materials
preparation stage cannot be over emphasised.
Frequently, where problems have been reported with
titanium fabrications, all or part of the cause can be
traced to this stage. The correct preparation of the weld
joints is essential for arc welding, diffusion bonding,
resistance welding and brazing, although friction welds
are typically more forgiving.

GEOMETRY OF WELD PREPARATIONS:

For TIG welding, a square-cut edge can be used for
all butt or corner welds in thin gauge sheet and tube
where the thickness does not exceed 1mm. Rough edges
with burrs are difficult to set up and can result in high
levels of weld porosity. Thicker sheet and tube should
be provided with a V-preparation with the 90 included
angle V terminating in a 0.6mm root face. By this means
it is possible to achieve consistent penetration during
the first weld run. Experience has shown that
commercially pure titanium gives lower weld penetration
than Ti-6Al-4V alloy. Thus, although the difference is not
as extreme as is commonly found between different
casts of stainless steels, joint designs should be qualified
for the titanium grade to be welded. For plate welding at
more than 6mm thickness, a simple open V can give
rise to unacceptable distortion due to thermal stresses.
In this case a machined J-preparation is used in which
the angle of the sides is as steep as possible consistent
with achieving complete side-wall fusion. As a guide,
the total included angle should be not greater than 65
and not less than 45. A double V-preparation is an
acceptable alternative to the J-preparation when there
is access to both sides of the weld.
Preparations that are suitable for TIG welding are also
generally appropriate for MIG and plasma when operated
in the conduction-limited mode. Keyhole plasma welding
requires only a simple square butt penetration for
thicknesses up to approximately 18mm (.7). Thicker
material can be prepared as for TIG welding, but with a
root face up to 15mm, and filled by PAW or TIG. Electron
beam, laser and most friction welds require simple butt
geometry.

faces should not be welded. Experience has shown that

this cutting technique which produces a smeared edge
leads to excessive weld metal porosity.

MACHINING
The following techniques are suitable for the preparation
of titanium joints:
(a) Turning, milling and planing: The surface obtained by
conventional machining processes such a latheturning, milling and planing are suitable for welding
with no additional cleaning other than degreasing to
remove cutting lubricants. Care is needed to ensure
that the metal is not overheated during the machining
operation and that other (non machined) surfaces
to be welded are not oxidised.
(b) Grinding: This technique is widely used for preparing
the edges of medium and thick material for welding.
The aim should be to produce the smoothest, most
regular profile possible with the scratch lines running
along the line of the weld and never across it. If
overheating of the material occurs it will be evident
from discoloration. Whenever practicable, grinding
should be followed by draw filing, or any other
technique which improves the smoothness and
profile of the weld and ensures that any grinding
particles are removed.
(c) Linishing: Belt or disc finishers are suitable for edge
preparation of medium gauge components. A 100
grit grade of paper can be used for most purposes.
Linishing is a relatively slow operation which produces
fine dust and is expensive on consumables. However,
it is very flexible and can give excellent results.
(d) Draw filing: Preparations made by grinding can be
improved by draw filing. A fine toothed flat file is
drawn repeatedly along the metal surface, an
operation which removes minor irregularities. Filing
requires skill and the use of a clean file or it can
worsen rather than improve the surface
(e) Scratch brushing: Surfaces can be scratch brushed
to remove any residual contamination. With stainless
steel brushes there is a slight risk of iron pick up and
titanium brushes should be used for critical
applications.

CUTTING
Any thickness of titanium can be cut with
conventional flame cutting equipment. However, it must
be remembered that contamination of the metal with
oxygen will result in hardening of the metal adjacent of
the cut edges. Thus a size tolerance of +6mm, (.25)
should be allowed for subsequent cleaning up. Plasma
arc cutting or the use of lasers are possible alternative
techniques to the oxyacetylene process. As-cut surfaces
should not be welded before the joint faces are finished
using a machining technique capable of giving a noncontaminated good quality surface. As-guillotined joint

20

It is usual to machine the abutting surface of a friction

weld before welding. It is not necessary to have great
accuracy in the finish, although a good square set up is
usually needed. Since there is always a loss of length
due to burn-off into the flash, there is little point in
machining overall lengths to any precision. This should
be done after welding, when the flash must also be
removed. Much greater precision is required for diffusion
bonding and, to a lesser extent, brazing since good fitup of the joint faces is essential to the success of these
joining methods.

Machined joint faces and material likely to be fused

(i.e. nearby material on the joint underside and top face),
should be cleaned and degreased prior to welding to
remove any cutting fluids or grease.

PICKLING
Acid pickling can be used to remove oxygen
contaminated metal from the surface of titanium. It is
also useful for removing any surface iron contamination
that may be present from machining. Pickling solutions
are typically aqueous solutions of hydrofluoric (48%
concentration) and nitric acid (70% concentration). The
acid ratio should always be maintained between 1:5 and
1:9 (5%HF/35%HNO3 has been found to be an effective
solution). Pickling should be carried out at room
temperature, for 1-5 minutes depending on the activity
of the bath. If the surface of the metal is dirty or oily,
degreasing or aquablasting must precede pickling or the
acid dissolution will be non-uniform producing a pitted
effect.

PREWELD CLEANING
The surface of the weld preparation and adjoining
metal is critical to the quality of the joint and should be
scrupulously clean prior to welding. The surface should
be inspected to see whether a final hand finishing
operation is necessary, e.g. to smooth out rough
machining marks and remove slivers of metal. The
smoothness of abutting edges is particularly important
for reduced porosity in arc welds and diffusion bonds.
Vapour and liquid degreasing methods are applicable for
titanium alloys.
(a) Vapour: Immersion tanks based on trichlorethylene
vapour are effective in removing grease, oil,

ARC WELDING TECHNIQUE

POWER SOURCES AND TORCHES
Titanium and its alloys can be welded with most
conventional welding power sources and torches. For
TIG welding a power source equipped with a non-contact
arc strike facility is essential to prevent tungsten
contamination of the weld, which occurs if a touch down
technique is employed. The power source must also be
capable of breaking the arc on completion of a weld
run, without stopping the inert gas flow, or weld metal
contamination by air may occur at the weld stop position.

TUNGSTEN ELECTRODE
The choice of electrode composition and diameter
is no different than for TIG welding stainless steels and
is influenced by the requirements for electrode longevity,
ease of arc initiation and stability. A simple 60 cone
gives satisfactory results for most manual TIG welding.
With angles less than 40 there is a greater risk of

fingermarks and general dirt from the surface of

titanium components. It should be ensured that the
tanks are not located too near to the welding area
nor that components are transferred immediately
from the tank to the welding booth because of the
risk of phosgene formation. Trichlorethylene should
regularly be checked for HCl acidity.
(b) Liquid: Small components can be degreased by
immersion in, for example, acetone or isopropyl
alcohol. Larger items can be cleaned by wiping with
lint free cloths or tissues soaked in the solvent. Under
no circumstances should methanol be employed as
a degreasing agent.
Once components have been degreased, the surfaces
must be handled only with clean gloves and preferably
not at all: bare hands, even ostensibly clean ones, deposit
a surprising amount of grease and salt.

CLAMPING AND FIXTURES

Clamps and fixtures for arc welding should be
designed to minimise distortion and, where necessary,
incorporate the purging system required to protect the
underside of the weldment.
For conventional rotary friction welds, the rotating
part is normally held in a three jaw chuck, although special
tooling may be required for the non-rotating part if it is
not axially symmetrical. For linear friction welding, special
tooling specific to the component is always required.
The tooling for the reciprocating component must be
designed with care in order to minimise the weight and
hence inertia of the system, which will have to change
direction typically 100 times every second.

tungsten loss while above 80 arc initiation is difficult

and the arc has a tendency to wander. Should the
electrode touch the weld both must be carefully examined
before restarting. Any tungsten in the weld, no matter
how small must be excavated.

SELECTION OF WELDING PARAMETERS

TIG, PAW and MIG welds can be made using a variety
of current/speed combinations, the differences being the
result of operator preference. However, it is worth
remembering that the aim should be to achieve a good
bead shape with minimum heat input. In that way,
distortion and argon shielding problems will be minimised.
TIG and plasma welding are best achieved with direct
current electrode negative (DCEN) polarity and, for MIG
welding, pulsed operation is generally preferred.
Suggested welding parameters are given in the table,
although these should be used as a guideline only.

21

SHIELDING GASES
For most purposes, the commercial grade of argon
may be used for welding titanium, although productivity
can be enhanced through the use of argon-helium
mixtures or pure helium. The use of helium-containing
gases has particular advantages for MIG welding since
spatter can be reduced considerably. Commercially
available cylinders of welding grade argon and helium
are of sufficient purity for all welding operations, however
care should be taken to ensure that non-permeable hoses
are used for all attachments to ensure that moisture is
not incorporated into the shielding gas. If cylinders are
used it is inevitable that they will contain a small amount
of moisture. This level is extremely low when the gas
cylinder is full, but as the pressure in the cylinder drops,
so the moisture content rises. There is some justification
for using gas from a cylinder for welding titanium only
until the pressure has fallen to ~25bar, after which it

should be used to supply gas for welding less sensitive

metals. Bulk supplies of argon have much lower moisture
contents. Where an on-site gas tank is used to supply
several welding stations gas purifiers, moisture and
oxygen meters can be connected to the main feed line
to provide overall quality assurance.
Inadequate shielding of the weld cap can occur when
argon flow from the torch is either too low so that all the
air is not displaced, or too high so that turbulence occurs.
Some experimentation on off-cuts of material may be
needed to establish the most suitable conditions.
Keeping a record of values used on previous work
eventually helps to reduce the time spent in setting up.
It is advised that a gas lens be used to maintain a lamellar
gas flow. This applies equally to the gas flow rate for
trailing shields, although the minimum flow rate will
depend on the size of the shield.

Suggested welding parameters for automatic TIG and MIG welding titanium (1/16 = 1.6mm)
Gauge, in
Electrode diameter, in
Filler wire diameter, in
Wire feed rate, ipm
Voltage, V
Amps, A
Nozzle ID, in
Torch shield, cfh

TIG (GTA) without filler

0.030
0.060
0.090
1
1
1
/16
/16
/16-3/32
10
10
12
25-30
90-100
190-200

15Ar
15Ar
20Ar

TIG (GTA)
0.060
1
/16
1
/16
22
10
120-130

15Ar

Trailing shield, cfh

Backing gas, cfh
Travel speed, ipm
Power supply

20Ar
4Ar
10
DCEN

40Ar
5Ar
12
DCEN

30Ar
4Ar
10
DCEN

50Ar
5Ar
10
DCEN

with filler
0.090
1
/16-3/32
1
/16
22
12
200-210

20Ar
50Ar
6Ar
12
DCEN

0.125
3
/32-1/8
1
/16
20
12
220-230

20Ar
50Ar
6Ar
10
DCEN

MIG (GMA)
0.125
0.250
1
1
/16
/16
200-225 300-320
20
30
250-260 300-320
-1
-1
50Ar+
50Ar+
15He
15He
50Ar
50Ar
30Ar
50Ar
15
15
DCEP
DCEP

0.500
/16
375-400
40
340-360
-1
50Ar+
15He
60Ar
60Ar
15
DCEP
1

0.625
/16
400-425
45
350-370
-1
50Ar+
15He
60Ar
60Ar
15
DCEP
1

Suggested Welding parameters for PAW welding titanium

Thickness
in.

mm

0.008
0.015
0.125
0.188
0.250
0.313
0.390
0.500

0.20
0.38
3.18
4.78
6.35
7.95
9.92
12.7

Notes:

Melt-in
Melt-in
Keyhole
Keyhole
Keyhole
Keyhole
Keyhole
Keyhole

Orifice and
shielding gas

Nozzle Orifice
Diameter
in.
mm

Flow
cfh

l/min

0.030
0.030
0.136
0.136
0.136
0.136
0.136
0.136

0.5
0.5
9
10-12
16
15
32
27

2.3
2.3
42
47-57
76
71
151
127

0.76
0.76
3.45
3.45
3.45
3.45
3.45
3.45

Direct current electrode negative

0.062inch (1.6mm) diameter wire

**

22

Welding
technique

Ar
Ar
Ar
Ar
Ar
Ar
He+25Ar
He+50Ar

Welding
Arc
current, A* voltage, V

5
6
150
175
160
172
225
270

24
30
30
30
38
36

Travel speed

Filler wire feed**

ipm

mm/s

ipm

5
5
15
15
12
12
10
10

2.1
2.1
6.3
6.3
5.1
5.1
4.2
4.2

40
42
45
48
-

mm/s
16.9
17.8
19
20.3
-

Backing gas flow rates depend largely on the volume

being filled. Flow rates for backing bars will normally be
lower than those for the torch. Similarly, backing gas flow
rates for a dammed pipe are limited by the magnitude
of the positive pressure maintained inside the pipe. The
pressure must not be too great or the weld root may be
pushed in, giving a concave profile. Sufficient time must
be allowed for the argon to sweep all air out of the
backing volume, and this will vary according to the exact
volume and flow rates used. Typically, a greater flow rate
is used when purging a dammed area. Where a backing
bar is used, localised oxidation can result from either an
inadequate purge time or excessive argon flow rate. A
similar effect can be caused by a badly fitting jig or by
impure argon.

Under normal circumstances, the grade of filler wire

will be identical with that of the parent material. Thus,
when two grade 2 components are to be welded, a grade
2 filler wire should be used. Where some atmospheric
contamination can be anticipated, for example on
positional welds in pipework, or where specifications
impose low hardness differences between weld bead
and parent metal, a softer grade of wire such as grade 1
can be employed. However, on no account should the
use of a softer filler be used as a substitute for good
shielding practice. Welds between different grades of
commercially pure titanium can be made using filler of
either composition. The choice will depend on which is
the most important property of the weld, strength or
ductility.

Strong air currents can reduce the efficiency of even

well designed argon shields and should thus be avoided.
Screens may be used indoors to minimise the effect of
draughts while for on-site work, a polythene sheet tent
or other draught proof enclosure may be necessary.

For welds in Ti-6A1-4V, TIG welding with a matching

filler metal can lead to a reduction in ductility in the weldbecause of metallurgical changes within the structure.
This can be overcome to some extent by the use of Ti6Al-4V ELI, extra low interstitial grade wire. Joints
between low and higher alloy titanium grades (e.g. Ti6Al-4V to CP) should be considered carefully, particularly
where postweld heat treatment is employed, as
hydrogen embrittlement can be more likely.

SELECTION OF FILLER WIRE

Filler wires are produced for a wide range of titanium
alloys, and those for grades 2 (CP) and 5 (Ti-6Al-4V) are
readily available to AWS specifications in straight lengths
and spools. The expedient of cutting strips from sheet
to provide filler material is one which may prove far from
satisfactory. Wire for welding is made to a specification
which includes composition, dimensions, surface quality
and cleanliness. Edge slittings are unlikely to conform in
all these aspects and their use without great care may
prove troublesome.

Titanium welding electrode compositions

AWS Wire
Classification
ASTM Grade
C
*
ERTi-1
1
0.03
ERTi-2
1
0.05
ERTi-3
2
0.05
ERTi-4
2,3,4
0.05
ERTi-0.2Pd
7,16,17,11 0.05
ERTi-3Al-2.5V
9
0.05
ERTi-3Al-2.5V-ELI*
9
0.04
ERTi-6Al-4V
5
0.05
ERTi-6Al-4V-ELI*
5,23
0.04
ERTi-12
12
0.03

O
0.10
0.10
0.10-0.15
0.15-0.25
0.15
0.12
0.10
0.15
0.10
0.25

H
0.008
0.008
0.008
0.008
0.008
0.008
0.005
0.008
0.005
0.008

When the arc is extinguished the tip of the filler wire

should remain, with the weld, in the argon stream from
the torch until both are sufficiently cool not to oxidise. If
filler wire does accidentally become oxidised, the
contaminated end must be removed before welding is
recommenced.

Composition, wt.%
N
Al
V
0.012
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
2.5-3.5
2.0-3.0
0.012
2.5-3.5
2.0-3.0
0.020
5.5-6.75 3.5-4.5
0.012
5.5-6.75 3.5-4.5
0.020
-

Fe
0.10
0.20
0.20
0.30
0.20
0.25
0.15
0.25
0.15
0.30

Other
Ti
Rem.
Rem
Rem
Rem
Pd 0.12-0.25
Rem
Rem
Rem
Rem
Rem
Mo 0.2-0.4
Ni 0.6-0.9
Rem
Notes:* This classification of filler metal restricts the allowable interstitial content to a low level so that the high toughness required for cryogenic applications and other special uses can be obtained in the deposited weld metal.

23

RESISTANCE WELDING TECHNIQUE

TACK WELDING
Tack welds are used to fix parts into the correct
relative position before welding. Since the tack is
eventually incorporated into the weld, it must be shielded
to the same high standard as the weld itself. Tacks may
be used in conjunction with a root gap i.e. where the
edges of the weld are deliberately set slightly apart to
assist in achieving uniform penetration. A tapering root
gap, wider at the finish end, can be set to counteract
the scissor effect caused by weld contraction.

MULTIPASS WELDING
The initial pass of a multipass weld will generally be
autogenous with only minor filler additions to correct
for small variations. It is advisable to X-ray the weld at
this stage if work is being carried out to radiographic
standards since porosity and lack of fusion defects are
more often associated with this first pass than with
subsequent runs.
Bright silvery coloured welds which have been
correctly shielded do not require any attention before
laying subsequent passes onto them.
Heat build up from previous weld runs can lead to
surface contamination on subsequent passes. In extreme
cases, the only solution may be to leave the work to
cool before further welding is carried out. Another
approach is to make any long welds in shorter sections.
In addition to helping with cooling, sequence welding
can also be effective in reducing distortion. Interpass
temperatures up to 500oC, depending on circumstances,
can be used for commercial purity titanium and Ti-6Al4V. This ensures that heat build up of the work piece
does not reduce the effectiveness of the shielding
arrangements, which are typically based on single pass
welds.

Equipment and technique are very similar to those

required for austenitic stainless steels. As with fusion
welding techniques, the quality of the joints depends
largely on the cleanliness of the joint surfaces, which
should be free of grease oil and other contaminants.
Similarly, an oxidised surface, even one which is only
lightly discoloured, should be ground or scratch brushed
with a titanium or stainless steel brush, prior to welding.
Pickling achieves the lowest contact resistance, but
mechanical cleaning methods are more than adequate
for the production of sound joints. Gas shielding is not
typically necessary, since contamination is minor as a
result of the very rapid thermal cycle. However,
metallographic and mechanical testing should always be
used to determine if shielding is required for a given
combination of parameters, materials, requirements and
machine.
The face of resistance welding electrodes should have
a domed profile, rather than the truncated cone profile
favoured for some other materials, to prevent excessive
indentation of the titanium.
Guideline spot welding parameters are given in the
Table for Ti-6Al-4V, although the required parameters for
a given job depends on many factors and the values in
the table should only be regarded as a starting point
when establishing procedures. For seam welding, an
appreciably greater welding load should be applied than
is necessary for spot welding (3 times the spot welding
load is typically a good starting point for welding trials).
Current and on/off cycle ratios should be determined by
trial and error. Care must be taken when evaluating the
welds to ensure that good overlap is achieved between
successive weld nuggets. Weld penetration is normally
high but the grain coarsened HAZ can easily be mistaken
for the nugget zone.

Guideline parameters for spot welding Ti-6Al-4V.

Parameters for spot welding (1 inch = 25.4mm; 1lb = 0.454 kg)
Sheet thickness (inches)

0.035

0.062

0.070

0.093

Joint overlap (inches)

/8

Squeeze time (ms)

60

60

60

60

Weld time, cycles

10

12

16

Hold time (ms)

60

60

60

60

Electrode force (lbs)

600

1500

1700

2400

Weld current (A)

5500

10600

11500

12500

Cross tensile strength (lbs)

600

1000

1850

2100

Tensile shear strength (lbs)

1720

5000

6350

8400

Ratio C-T/T-S

0.35

0.20

0.29

0.25

Weld diameter (inches)

0.255

0.359

0.391

0.431

Nugget diameter (inches)

0.331

Weld penetration (%)

87.3

/8

Electrode indentation (%)

3.1

Sheet separation (inches)

0.0047

0.0087

0.0079

0.0091

Notes: Electrode type : 3 (75mm) spherical radius, 5/8 (15.9mm) dia, class 2 copper

24

EVALUATION OF WELD QUALITY

LIKELY DEFECTS
Titanium, like all metals, is susceptible to certain
welding defects. However, the range of possible defects
is much less extensive than, say, for ferrous fabrications.
Solidification cracking, a common defect in stainless steel
and aluminium weldments, is not found in Ti-6Al-4V. or
CP. Likewise, liquation and reheat cracking are not
encountered in titanium fabrications. Contamination due
to inadequate gas shielding is one of the more common
defects responsible for rework or scrap and applies to
all welding processes with the exception of friction
welding. Tiny pores, irrelevant to many applications, can
be formed in titanium weld metal but careful surface
preparation will substantially reduce their presence.
Most of the defects commonly encountered in
titanium TIG weldments can be traced to a deviation
from ideal welding parameters. Molten titanium metal
is fluid and its combination of low density and high
surface tension enables good control of the weld surface
profile and penetration. Thus, titanium is more forgiving
in this respect than many other metals, but defects such
as lack of fusion, incomplete penetration and underfill
are still possible. Porosity can also be encountered in
titanium weld metal, typically at the fusion boundary.
Pores are spherical and between 50-300m in diameter.
MIG welds are susceptible to similar defects, but are
also prone to spatter. For critical applications, it is
important that the parent material be protected using
metal foil or heat resistant fabric. Hydrogen
contamination in the weld or parent material can lead to
hydride cracking (typically in positions of maximum
residual stress), but this is typically encountered only
when Ar-H shielding gases, used commonly for stainless
steels, are used for titanium fabrication.
Plasma arc welds are susceptible to the same range
of defects as TIG welds. Incomplete penetration when
operated in the keyhole mode typically results in gross
tunnel porosity. Autogenous keyhole plasma welds in
thick material typically exhibit a minor amount of underfill,
but this can be readily addressed by applying a PAW or
TIG final pass. One of the major benefits of keyhole
plasma welds is their seeming immunity to weld metal
porosity. Electron beam and laser welds are susceptible
to porosity, voids, underfill, incomplete penetration and
missed seams. Again, the likelihood of these defects is
no greater than for most other metals. A lack of bonding
is the most common defect in diffusion bonds, brazed
joints, adhesive bonds and resistance welds.
The most likely defect in a friction weld, and the most
difficult to detect non-destructively, is the so called
kissing bond, which is a region where intimate contact
is made between the two parts of the weld, but where
either the joint is weak or no metallurgical bond exists.
If insufficient flash is generated during welding, the joint
can be seriously embrittled, but this can typically be
assessed visually. Porosity is not encountered in friction
welds.

RADIOGRAPHY.
Radiography is one of the more useful weld inspection
techniques for titanium and its application does not differ
substantially from the radiography of other metals, either
in execution or interpretation. Allowance must be made
for the lower absorption of X-rays than is found with
iron or copper. One minor difficulty is that a titanium
image quality indicator (IQI) is not available: the
aluminium IQI is probably the best choice rather than
iron or copper.
Radiography will reveal: tungsten inclusions as sharp white spots
porosity which shows up as dark spots that usually appear
circular
lack of root or sidewall fusion indicated as a dark line or
area, often with associated porosity
cracking, which is evident as a dark line, sometimes angular
and sharp

DESTRUCTIVE TESTS
The principles used in approval and qualification
testing of other metals apply equally to titanium but some
provision is necessary for assessing contamination.
Colour should certainly be noted, but is an inadequate
indicator on its own. Transverse tensile tests normally
will not show contamination, since the weld is usually
stronger than the parent metal. For plates that are
sufficiently thick, results of side bend tests will give a
guide. For thinner plate or sheet, the longitudinal bend
test is preferable to the transverse, since this gives a
direct comparison with base metal performance. Some
care is needed, because the weld zone will usually be
less ductile even in the absence of contamination,
particularly with some alloys. Comparison should be
made between the weld and HAZ (rather than parent),
so as to account for hardening that occurs during the
weld thermal cycle. Finally, the oxygen and nitrogen
content of the welds may be analysed to provide a direct
measure of any contamination.

Typical bend radii for as-welded titanium

ASTM
Grades

Alloy type

1, (11, 17, 27)

CP (+Pd/Ru)
2, (16, 7 26)
CP (+Pd/Ru)
3, 4
CP
5, (24)
Ti-6A1-4V (+Pd)
23, (29)
Ti-6A1-4V ELI (+Ru)
12
Ti-0.7Ni-0.3Mo
Ti-6A1-6V-6Sn

Minimum
bend radius

2t
3t
4t
10-12t
8-10t
5t
16-18t

25

VISUAL INSPECTION
Most elements of visual inspection are not unique to
titanium welding: weld bead location, size, shape,
uniformity and penetration. Visual inspection is also
critical for assessing if sufficient flash has been generated
in a friction weld. However, the major application of visual
inspection for titanium weldments is the assessment of
the success or otherwise of the gas shielding
arrangements.This approach makes use of the
interference colours generated by thin layers of surface
oxide in the weld zone. The observed colour changes
with oxide thickness and this effect is utilized to give an
indication of the oxidizing potential of the shielding
arrangements.
Colour

Intepretation

Silver
Correct shielding, satisfactory
Light straw Slight contamination, but acceptable
Rule of thumb classification of titanium weld colour
Dark straw Slight contamination, but acceptable
Dark blue
Heavier contamination, but may be acceptable
depending on service
Light blue
Heavy contamination, unlikely to be acceptable
Grey blue
Very heavy contamination, unacceptable
Grey
Very heavy contamination, unacceptable
White
Very heavy contamination, unacceptable

Despite the precautions taken to avoid contamination

it is inevitable that shielding arrangements will
occasionally fail to fully protect the weld. The easiest
and almost universally adopted inspection method is
the monitoring of the colour of the weld surface. This
technique, although appearing straightforward may give
misleading results since the most detrimental form of
contamination, i.e. entrainment of air into the torch
shielding gas, could still give a silver weld if the trailing
shield were to provide good protection. However, if
welds are inspected during welding then contamination
of the electrodes will be noticeable if air has been
entrained into the torch shielding gas. A rule of thumb
guide to interpreting weld zone colour is given in the
table below.
The full sequence of colours is rather complicated,
progressing through first and second order colours,
separated by a dull silvery hiatus which itself could
readily be misinterpreted as a contamination-free weld.
The interpretation of weld colour requires extensive
operator training and experienced inspectors are needed
to maintain confidence in the technique.
It should be noted that discoloration away from the
weld bead does not necessarily indicate poor shielding.
Indeed dark straw to blue tramlines parallel to the weld
bead are commonly encountered in fusion welds.
Work performed at TWI has established the origin of
these features, which are believed to be non-harmful
and are not related to the shielding integrity.

26

A pieceof titanium sheet 10mm wide, the lower edge of which

has been heated (in air) showing the effect of progressive
oxidation and increasing oxide thickness.

TIG welds in commercially pure titanium sheet made with successively greater air contamination of the shielding gas.

ALTERNATIVES TO THE COLOUR CRITERIA

Hardness testing and eddy current inspection can be
used to provide supporting evidence for contamination
in commercially pure grades of titanium, since
contaminated welds will exhibit greater hardness and
resistivity. Portable hardness testing procedures that can
be applied in-situ are currently being developed at TWI
for grade 2 and 5 titanium. The successful application of
these techniques will allow rejects to be minimised and
the highest quality to be achieved.

DYE PENETRANT INSPECTION

Under normal circumstances, weld cracking is very
rare with titanium. However, problems can sometimes
arise where several weld seams intersect or where
contamination has occurred. In these cases, the defects
can be detected by dye penetrant inspection, the
technique also being suitable for locating porosity in
partly machined welds. It should be noted, however, that
the dye penetrant must be completely removed prior to
attempting weld repair.

NOTES FOR FRICTION WELDS

Contamination of TIG electrodes from air entrainment (from
left to right 0%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5% air in the Ar torch shielding gas)

Friction welded components are by definition very

difficult to inspect. As the process is only economic for
mass produced items, individual inspection of each
component can seldom be justified. Experience has
shown that, as the process is fully mechanised, and
therefore repeatable, reliance on statistical process
control is normally satisfactory. In this approach, the
tolerance of the process to key welding parameters is
first determined, and much tighter tolerances are then
imposed on the production process. Providing the
process is kept within these tolerance levels, the
probability of getting a poor weld should be very small
indeed. If a parameter is recorded to be just outside the
tolerance range, the weld should still be acceptable, but
this issues a warning that some intervention is required
to return the parameter to its intended setting, and to
investigate the cause for the change.

27

REPAIR OF DEFECTS
LOCALISED MINOR REPAIRS
Defects in titanium welds such as isolated tungsten
inclusions and porosity are quite easy to repair. The
affected area is removed by drilling or grinding and
cleaned prior to filling the hole or depression with the
appropriate filler material, taking care that any metal
added is properly fused into the existing weld metal.

proven particularly successful for replacement repair

welding, allowing sections to be welded into components
with minimal distortion and high accuracy. For example,
flap tracks for the Tornado fighter/bomber aircraft have
been repaired using this technique.
TIG weld repair and HVOF surfacing was used to repair slat
tracks on the Tristar aircraft

SEAM REPLACEMENT
Where a line of pores is found by radiography, the
weld can be re-melted up to a maximum of, say, 3 times
subject to a satisfactory contamination check after each
stage. This re-melt will require a higher current than that
used on the original weld but can potentially remove all
or most of the porosity. Should this fail, however, or if
the defect is of a more serious nature, the entire weld
bead must be removed by machining or grinding and
then rewelded. These types of major weld repairs are
usually slow and costly and consideration should be given
to patching or even complete replacement of the items.

REPAIR OF LARGE AREAS

REPAIR OF DETAILS

Any substantial areas can be repaired by cutting out

and replacing with new material or by welding a patch
over the entire area. Generally, replacement is preferable
to patching except for the repair of thick sheet with
access to only one side, and for the repair of titanium/
steel explosively clad plate. Electron beam welding has

Details on components that are damaged either in

service or during fabrication are routinely repaired by
the build up of weld beads using, for example, TIG
welding. Fine details can be repaired using microplasma
welding, allowing the precise positioning of small weld
beads prior to machining to the required geometry.

FURTHER NOTES ON POROSITY

Indeed, the removal of such defects and subsequent

weld repair may be more detrimental to fatigue
performance than the original defect. It is stressed,
however, that if the weld cap and root are left intact,
then weld metal porosity becomes irrelevant, and
allowable stresses can be calculated solely on the basis
of the severity of the profile of the weld toe.

Weld metal porosity occurs commonly in most

materials, including for example nickel alloys and
stainless steel. Titanium fusion weldments can also
exhibit pores, but under most circumstances they do
not have any particular detrimental effects. For example,
pores are typically isolated and less than 0.3mm (.012)
diameter, and have no discernible consequence for
tensile properties or toughness. Similarly, if the weld cap
and root profile are left intact (i.e. not ground flush with
the parent metal), fatigue life is typically determined by
the severity of the stress concentration at the weld toe
and will not be influenced by the presence or otherwise
of small pores.
For some applications, however, all geometry-specific
stress-raisers, such as weld toes, are removed in order
to maximise the fatigue performance of the joints. Under
these circumstances fatigue strength can be lowered
significantly by the presence of weld metal pores,
especially those near the surface. This is true of most
materials, but the degradation in fatigue life is typically
greater for titanium, than, say, steel. Unduly restrictive
maximum specified pore sizes in welding codes may
not have any profound effect on fatigue performance.

28

Porosity in titanium fusion welds can be formed for

a variety of reasons, but the most profound influence is
the condition of the joint surfaces. In principle, final
machining of the joint surfaces without aqueous
lubricants and welding in the same 24h period is advised,
although acid pickling may be used successfully on old
joint surfaces, provided welding is performed shortly
after the pickling treatment. The joint surfaces should
always be carefully degreased.
The presence of a hydrated scale and/or surface
contaminants can be identified during tack welding. If a
discoloured ring has formed within the protection of
the gas shielded area and surrounds silver weld metal
then, if porosity is to be minimised, the joint surfaces
should be re-prepared. Not all welding processes show
the same susceptibility to weld metal porosity. Although
TIG, MIG, EB and laser welds often exhibit weld metal

pores, keyhole plasma welds are typically pore-free,

showing that this latter process has significantly greater
tolerance to the condition of the joint surfaces. Weld
metal porosity can of course be completely avoided by
using a solid state welding process.

DISTORTION
Because welding involves highly localised heating of
joint edges to fuse the material, non-uniform stresses
are set up in the component. Initially, compressive
stresses are created in the surrounding cold parent metal
when the weld pool is formed due to the thermal
expansion of the hot metal (heat affected zone) adjacent
to the weld pool. However, tensile stresses arise on
cooling when the contraction of the weld metal and the
immediate heat affected zone is resisted by the bulk of
the cold parent metal. If the stresses generated from
thermal expansion/contraction exceeded the yield
strength of the parent metal, localised plastic
deformation of the metal occurs. Plastic deformation
causes a permanent distortion in the structure.
The main factors affecting the type and degree of
distortion, are parent material properties, amount of
restraint, joint design, part fit-up and welding procedure.

PARENT MATERIAL PROPERTIES

Parent material properties which influence distortion
are coefficient of thermal expansion (greater values
increase distortion) and specific heat per unit volume
(lower values increase distortion). As distortion is
determined by expansion and contraction of the
material, the coefficient of thermal expansion of the
material plays a significant role in determining the
stresses generated during welding and, hence, the
degree of distortion. Simple calculations and practical
experience shows that the level of distortion expected
in a titanium component lies between those observed
for steel and stainless steel (i.e. distortion will be greater
that for steel, but lower that observed in many austenitic
stainless steels).

RESTRAINT
If a component is welded without any external
restraint, it distorts to relieve the welding stresses. So
methods of restraint such as strong backs in butt welds
can prevent movement and reduce distortion. It should
be noted, however, that restraint produces higher levels
of residual stress in the material.

JOINT DESIGN
Both butt and fillet joints are prone to distortion. It
can be minimised in butt joints by adopting a joint type
which balances the thermal stresses through the plate
thickness. For example, a double-sided in preference to
a single-sided weld. Double-sided fillet welds should
eliminate angular distortion of the upstanding member,

especially it the two welds are deposited at the same

time.

PART FIT-UP
Fit-up should be uniform to produce predictable and
consistent shrinkage. Excessive joint gap can also increase
the degree of distortion by increasing the amount of weld
metal needed to fill the joint. The joints should be
adequately tacked to prevent relative movement between
the parts during welding.

WELDING PROCEDURE
This influences the degree of distortion mainly through
its effect on the heat input. As welding procedure is
usually selected for reasons of quality and productivity,
the welder has limited scope for reducing distortion. As
a general rule, weld volume should be kept to a minimum.
Also the welding sequence and technique should aim to
balance the thermally induced stresses around the neutral
axis of the component.

STRESS RELIEF
As for welds in any other metal, postweld heattreatments are performed to reduce the residual stresses
encountered in the weld zone and improve fatigue
performance. Residual stresses in ferrous fabrications
can equal the yield stress of the alloy, but residual stresses
in titanium are typically lower. For example a maximum
residual stress of approximately 85% of yield can be
encountered in Ti-6Al-4V in highly restrained metal, such
as typical for repair welds. Postweld heat treatments of
different durations are required for stress relief of the
various titanium alloy grades. Heat-treatment schedules
for weldable higher strength alloys are commonly
combined so that postweld heat-treatment relieves
residual stresses and ages the parent material.
Postweld heat-treatment may be performed in a
vacuum or argon atmosphere to prevent the formation
of contaminated layers. Adsorbed oxygen forms a brittle
surface, or alpha case, and is best avoided. Heat
treatment in air is possible provided that the oxidised
surface is removed by pickling, grinding or blasting and
descaling.
Welded fabrications in commercially pure titanium,
including pipe and fittings, will not normally require stress
relief. Alloy fabrications, however, typically do require
stress relief. One to two hours at 600C (1110F) max is
usually adequate for both CP and Ti-6Al-4V, to reduce
residual stress to manageable levels whilst avoiding
excessive thermal oxidation. Indeed, higher temperatures
should be avoided, since microstructural ageing can
reduce toughness and ductility. Suppliers should be
consulted for a suitable heat treatment cycle for welded
alloys requiring postweld solution treatment and ageing.

29

PRACTICAL POINTS..... THE DOS AND DONTS OF TITANIUM

Design Cost Control: The practical points of successful design cost control are principally those of value engineering
using a light, strong, corrosion-resistant material.
Do: Check available standard products and specifications
to obtain best availability and lowest cost.
Use design strategies based on using minimum material
thickness.
Exploit corrosion resistant characteristics to the full.
Consider the use of liners and cladders in preference to
solid design where heavy sections are unavoidable.
Consult suppliers and fabricators at the earliest stage of
design.

Do not: Simply substitute titanium into existing designs.

Budget for titanium project costs by weight, especially
not by the weight of steel or other alloys.
Specify little-used alloys or forms.

Machining: The practical points of successful machining are principally those of observing the different mechanical
and surface characteristics of titanium. Fire safety procedures must be applied for handling and control of titanium
fines and turnings.
Do: Use rigid set ups, correct speeds, feeds and tooling.
Use flood lubrication.
Use roller steadies and running centres.
Regularly remove turnings from machines.
Employ special closeable containers for titanium turnings.

Do not: Allow titanium to rub on blunt tooling or smear

on the other metals.
Mix combustible rubbish with titanium fines or turnings.
Allow open flames or welding near titanium fines.

Fabrication: The practical points of successful fabrication are principally those of good housekeeping and clean
practice in the workshop.
Do not: Heat treat titanium in a reducing atmosphere, it
Do: Use the correct weld preparation and remove all
will absorb hydrogen and become embrittled.
burrs.
Use methyl alcohol (methanol) as a cleaning fluid, dry
Remove all grease, oil, paint and dirt before welding or
methanol can cause stress cracking.
heat treatment.
Use sulpho-chlorinated or sulphurised cleaning fluids.
Clean weld areas with acetone on a lint-free cloth or use
Apply cleaning fluid with tissue paper, wool or rags.
stainless steel or titanium wire brushes.
Wire brush with mild steel brushes.
Dry titanium surfaces before welding.
Use hydorgen containing shielding gases.
Use clean dry titanium filler wire of the correct grade.
Ensure that the top and back face of the weld and weld
areas are adequately shielded with argon gas.
Surface Treatment: The practical points of successful surface treatments are the those of knowing the problem to
be solved and deciding the appropriate treatment.
Do: Confirm that any side effects are accounted for in
the design and application.
Ensure that surface preparation is appropriate to the
coating selected.
Provide the specified grade of lubrication.

Do not: Attempt to apply coatings to soiled or

contaminated surfaces.
Exceed recommended inspection and maintenance
intervals.
Re-use components showing excessive wear or surface
damage.

Installation: The practical points of successful installation are principally those of observing the different mechanical
properties, corrosion resistance and surface characteristics of titanium.
Do: Allow for the lower modulus of titanium in struts
and support spans.
Provide surface treatment for titanium parts in sliding
contact, or on bearing surfaces.
Coat external surfaces of exposed titanium structures in
areas where dynamically induced sparking is a defined
hazard.

Do not: Connect titanium without isolation to

immediately adjoining less corrosion resistant metals,
(to reduce the likelihood of galvanic corrosion).

COMPREHENSIVE GUIDES ON MACHINING AND FABRICATION ARE AVAILABLE FROM TIG

30

STANDARDS AND
SPECIFICATIONS
ASME provides the only international non-aerospace
standard for weldment qualification in titanium. For
pressure vessel construction, the ASME Boiler and
Pressure Vessel Code details procedure and performance
tests which must be met for coded grades 1, 2, 3, 7, 9,
and 12. Tensile and bend tests on trial welds made under
conditions intended for production are the acceptance
criteria. Impact or notch tensile tests may also be
required, particularly for low temperature applications.
Once good procedures are established, as evidenced
by tensile and bend tests, they should be strictly followed
in subsequent production welding. Although weld colour
should certainly be included in any welding qualification

testing, ASME Code suggests that, if titanium weld metal

hardness is more than 40 BHN (50VPN) greater than
base metal hardness, excessive contamination is
possible. A substantially greater hardness differential
necessitates removal of the affected weld-metal area.
The Code further specifies that all titanium welds be
examined by liquid penetrant. In addition, full radiography
of many titanium joints is required by the Code.
A European standard is currently being discussed for
welder approval for titanium fabrication, but as yet (May
99) the final content of this document has not been
ratified.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Welding fume generation from the common titanium
alloys during TIG welding is minimal and there are no
extraction requirements beyond those necessary for TIG
welding other structural materials. Titanium will not

combust during welding. Instances in which titanium has

caught fire are associated with finely divided material
and ignition from combustible fluids or materials.

GLOSSARY
TIG:

tungsten inert gas or gas tungsten arc welding

(GTAW)
MIG:
metal inert gas or gas metal arc welding (GMAW)
PAW: plasma arc welding
DCEN: Direct current electrode negative
DCEP: Direct current electrode positive

EB:
electron beam
RPEB: reduced pressure electron beam
Nd-YAG (laser) Neodymium-yttrium-agate-garnet
ASME American Society of Mechanical Engineers

Welding positions for plate and circumferential welds.

31

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

The list of TIG Members over includes fabricators who will be pleased to assist with further information and advice.
In addition, there are many industrial members of TWI that have considerable experience in fabricating titanium.
Information on these companies can be obtained from TWI. Those looking for US fabricators should visit the
following web sites: http://www.welding-services.com. The membership of TIG and the international Titanium
Association includes many international specialist fabricators and these can be found on http://www.titanium.net.

FOR HELP FROM TWI

TWI, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB1 6AL
Tel: +44(0)1223 891162
Fax: +44(0)1223 892588
Email: [email protected]

FOR WELDING CONSUMABLES

Titanium International Ltd
Keys House
Granby Avenue
Garretts Green
Birmingham B33 0SP, UK
Tel: +44(0)121 789 8030
Fax: +44(0)121 784 7694

TIMET UK LTD
P.O. Box 704,
Witton,
Birmingham B6 7UR UK
Tel : +44(0)121-356-1155
Fax: +44(0)121-356-5413

RMI Titanium Company

Riverside Estate
Fazeley Tamworth
Staffordshire S78 3RW
Tel : +44(0)1827 262266
Fax: +44(0)1827 262267

FOR SHIELDING AND WELDING EQUIPMENT

Huntingdon Fusion Techniques Ltd
Stukeley Meadows
Hutingdon
Cambridgeshire PE18 6EJ, UK
Tel:+44(0)1480 412432
Fax: :+44(0)1480 412841

FOR BRAZING CONSUMABLES

WESGO
GTE Products Corporation
477 Harbor Boulevard
Belmont, CA 94002, USA
Tel: +01 (415) 592 9440

Vacuum Brazing Consultants Ltd

The Hob Hill, Chapel Road
Steeton
Keighley BD20 6NU
Tel: +44(0)1535 653598
Fax:+44( 0)1535 656707

FOR FURTHER READING

There is a vast body of literature covering the joining of titanium and its alloys, far more than can be highlighted in
this brochure. Request for information on specific welding issues should be directed to TWI.
L S Smith and M F Gittos: High
productivity pipe welding of Ti-6Al-4V
alloys. TWI members report 660,
November 1998.
M F Gittos: Welding of titanium.
Titanium World, September 1996.
P L Threadgill: The potential for solid
state welding of titanium pipe in
offshore industries. Presented at
Right use of titanium III, Stavanger
Norway, 4-5 November 1997.
D Howse, R Wiktorowicz and M F
Gittos: Using shielding gases for
improved productivity arc welding of
titanium. TWI Bulletin,

32

L S Smith and M F Gittos: A review of

weld metal porosity and hydride
cracking in titanium and its alloys.
TWI Members Report 658, November
1998.
M B D Ellis and M F Gittos: Tungsten
inert gas welding of titanium and its
alloys. Welding & Metal Fabrication,
January 1995.
M H Scott: Arc welding titanium.
Welding Institute Research Bulletin,
20, June 1979.

AWS Welding Handbook, Materials

and Applications Part 2, 8th edition ,
American Welding Society, Miami.
M J Hussion: Practical use of a
collapsible purge chamber for titanium
welding. Welding Journal 66, July
1997.
Titanium: Design and Fabrication
Handbook for Industrial Applications,
TIMET, Titanium Metals Corporation
1997
B.Hanson, The Selection and Use of
Titanium - Designers Guide, Institute
of Materials, 1995

MEMBER COMPANIES OF TIG

Timet UK Limited
PO Box 704
Witton
Birmingham B6 7UR
Tel: 0121 356 1155
Fax: 0121 356 5413
Manufacturers and stockists of titanium
mill products
Doncasters Plc
28-30 Derby Road
Melbourne
Derby DE7 1FE
Tel: 01332 864900
Fax: 01332 864888
Manufacture titanium forgings and
castings - specialist fabricator including
super-plastic forming/diffusion bonding
Wyman Gordon Ltd
Houston Road
Livingston
West Lothian EH54 5BZ
Tel: 01506 446200
Fax: 01506 446330
Manufacturer of large titanium forgings
including large diameter extruded tube
Bunting Titanium Ltd
34 Middlemore Industrial Estate
Smethwick Warley
West Midlands B66 2EE
Tel: 0121 558 5814
Fax: 0121 558 8072
Titanium fabricator specialising in pipe
spools - manufacturer of a range of
titanium valves
Aerospace Forgings Ltd
Churchbridge
Oldbury
Warley
West Midlands B69 2AU
Tel: 0121 552 2921
Fax: 0121 544 5731
Manufacturer of closed die and hand
forged titanium forgings
TWI
Abington Hall
Abington
Cambridge CB1 6AL
Tel: 01223 891162
Fax: 01223 892588
Research, development and consultancy
on joining techniques for materials
including titanium
Metal Improvement Co Inc
Navigation House
Hambridge Lane
Newbury
Berks RG14 5TU
Tel: 01635 31071
Fax: 01635 31474
Surface treatment of titanium
components to improve mechanical
properties and to prolong service life

RMI Titanium Company

Riverside Estate
Fazeley Tamworth
Staffordshire B78 3RW
Tel: 01827 262266
Fax: 01827 262267
Manufacturer and stockist of a full range
of titanium mill products including piping
and OCTG tubulars
Oremet Titanium
Keys House
Granby Avenue
Garretts Green
Birmingham B33 0SP
Tel: 0121 789 8030
Fax: 0121 784 8054
Manufacturer and stockist of titanium
mill products and castings
Aurora Forgings Ltd
Parkgate Steel Works
PO Box 16 Rotherham
South Yorkshire S62 6EB
Tel: 0114 261 5000
Fax: 0114 261 5025
Open and closed die forgings, extrusions
and rolled rings
Euro-Titan Handels AG/Hanseatische
Waren Handelsgesellschaft mbH & Co Kg
c/o Internet Agencies
18 Cofton Church Lane
Birmingham B45 8PT
Tel: 0121 447 7492
Fax: 0121 447 7493
Stockist of titanium ingot, bar, plate,
sheet, profile, tube and wire products
Rolls Laval
PO Box 100
Wolverhampton WV4 6JY
Tel: 01902 353353
Fax: 01902 403334
Manufacturers of compact heat
exchangers
Super Alloys International Ltd
5 Garamonde Drive
Clarendon Industrial Estate
Wymbush
Milton Keynes MK8 8DF
Tel: 01908 260707
Fax: 01908 260494
Stockist of titanium wrought products
Scomark Engineering Ltd
Hartshorne Road
Woodville Swadlincote
Derbyshire DE11 7JF
Tel: 01283 218222
Fax: 01283 226468
Fabricator of high performance materials
including titanium
DERA
Griffith Building A7
Structural Materials Centre
DERA Farnborough
Hampshire GU14 0LX
Tel: 01252 392540
Fax: 01252 394135
Research and development on materials
including titanium

Tecvac Limited
Buckingway Business Park
Swavesey
Cambridge CB4 5UG
Tel: 01954 233700
Fax: 01954 233733
Surface treatment of titanium
particularly nitriding
Titanium Mill Products Ltd
Lwe House
1 Ranmoor Crescent
Sheffield S10 3GU
Tel: 01142 308 855
Fax: 01142 302 832
Stockists of titanium wrought products
Alba AS
Lilleakerveien 23
N-0283 Oslo
Norway
Tel: 47 22 50 00 20
Fax: 47 22 50 01 11
Titanium castings
Deutsche Titan GmbH
Altendorfer Strasse 104
45143 Essen
Germany
Tel: 00 49 0201 188 2593
Fax: 49 0201 188 3520
Manufacturer of a wide range of titanium
mill products
Rolls Royce Plc
P.O. Box 2000
Derby DE21 7XX
Tel: 01332 661461
Fax: 01332 622948
Fabrication and design of components for
marine power systems
Aeromet International Plc
Watchmead
Welwyn Garden City
Hertfordshire AL7 1LT
Tel: 01795 415000
Fax: 01795 415050
Fabricator specialising in super plastic
forming and diffusion bonding
Azko Nobel
Permascand AB
Box 42
S-840 10 Ljungaverk
Sweden
Tel: 0691 35500
Fax: 0691 33040
Titanium fabricators
Euro-Titan Handels AG
Katternberger Strasse 155-159
Solingen 42655
Germany
Tel: 02 12 248 16-0
Fax: 02 12 248 16-16
Stockist of titanium mill products

33

TITANIUM
TITANIUM is the fourth most abundant structural metal in the earths crust, and the ninth industrial metal. No
other engineering metal has risen so swiftly to pre-eminence in such a wide range of critical and demanding
applications.

TITANIUM AND ITS ALLOYS OFFER:

Availability in all forms
Comparable cost to other high performance engineering materials
Weight saving - as strong as steel but half the weight
Outstanding corrosion resistance in a wide range of aggressive media
Resistance to erosion and cavitation
Fire and shock resistance
Favourable cryogenic properties
Biocompatibility and non toxicity

TITANIUM AND ITS ALLOYS DELIVER:

High performance components and systems
Aerospace engine and airframe parts
Automotive components including valves, springs, connecting rods
Orthopaedic implants surgical instruments, medical centrifuges
Lightweight vehicle and body armour
Offshore oil and gas equipment, stress joints, risers, flowlines, valves
Seawater pipework systems for ballast, cooling and fire protection
100 million metres of steam condenser tubing in power plant worldwide
High pressure compact heat exchangers
Process plant equipment, vessels, heat exchangers, pumps, mixers
High strength corrosion resistant fasteners
Strong corrosion resistant alloys for high pressure high temperature processes
Naval ball valves up to 600mm diameter
Equipment for safe handling of food, beverage and pharmaceuticals
Erosion resistant compoments for high velocity water duties
Computer hard drive substrates
Flue gas desulphurisation plant duct and flue linings
Lightweight steam turbine blading
Safe long term storage of nuclear waste
Corrosion resistant wet air oxidation process plant
Sports, leisure and fashion goods
Racing and mountain bicycles
Golf clubs
Yacht fittings
Watches and personal jewellery
Ultra lightweight spectacle frames
Attractive and durable architectural finishes and ornaments
Curtain walling and roofing
Electro painted pictures
Sculptures, plaques and monuments
Corrosion resistant cladding for marine structures
In the majority of these and other applications TITANIUM has replaced heavier, less serviceable and less
cost effective materials. Designing with TITANIUM and taking all factors including selection of the appropriate
surface treatment into account has resulted in reliable, economic and more durable systems and components
which in many cases have substantially exceeded performance and service life expectations.