Solid state diffusion bonding of titanium alloys

Solid State diffusion bonding is obtained by applying heat, well below the melting temperature of the metals, a static pressure which does not cause a macroscopic plastic deformation in the material, and a time required to form a metallurgical bond with atomic diffusion process. This process is used for aluminum alloys, high strength steels and titanium alloys in the aerospace industry to produce complex and inaccessible joints without localized distortion. Ability to diffusion bond titanium alloys is strongly needed to promote the use of superplastic forming technology. In the present work, the solid state diffusion bonding was carried out using specimens in Ti-6Al-4V and Ti-15V-3Cr-3Sn-3Al. The microstructure of the bonded interface indicates the diffusion bonding process is successful for both alloys. It is also shown that the diffusion bonding of a superplastic Ti-6Al-4V alloy is possible at the optimum superplastic condition so that two processes can be performed simultaneously. The structural integrity of diffusion bonding was evaluated with a hydraulic test of diffusion bonded part.