Microstructural and mechanical characteristics of laser welding of Ti6Al4V and lead metal

Titanium alloy Ti6Al4V and lead metal were welded using a continuous wave Nd:YAG laser. The influences of laser power, scanning velocity, and laser beam offset on weld morphology were investigated. Microstructure, chemical composition and mechanical properties of the joints were evaluated. Experimental results showed that fusion weld formed at the upper part of the weld and brazing weld with solder of Pb formed at the lower part of the weld under appropriate process condition. Interfaces were formed between mixed fusion zone and liquid lead zone in molten pool during laser welding of Ti6Al4V and lead. Reasons for interface formation may be different driving force of various regions in molten pool, and the miscibility gap of Ti and Pb binary system. Ti-Pb intermetallic compound Ti4Pb was detected at the fusion weld zone, which made the microhardness of the weld seam was higher than that of the base materials. The strength of the joint was at least equal to or larger than that of lead base material.