Molecular dynamics simulation of linear friction welding between dissimilar Ti-based alloys

Molecular dynamics simulation of linear friction welding (LFW) between Ti and Ti–Al alloy has been performed. The temperature change, plastic deformation and atomic diffusion behavior have been analyzed. Results showed that the temperature on the interface of the two rubbing slabs rose rapidly at the beginning and then fluctuated with friction time. Meanwhile, the deformed area of the rubbing slabs increased with friction time and large amount of atoms were forced out of the interface under the pressure and reciprocating motion. In addition, the perfect hexagonal close-packed structure was distorted and the long-range order of the initial structure was destroyed gradually. During the LFW process, the atomic diffusion behavior diverged with direction. Furthermore, Ti atoms showed higher diffusion ability when compared to Al atoms.