Microstructure and mechanical properties of friction stir lap welded dissimilar Al/Ti alloys by ultrasonic assistance

Dissimilar Al/Ti alloy sheets were lap welded with ultrasonic assistance in this work. The influence of ultrasonic vibration on formation, intermetallic compounds (IMCs) and tensile failure load of the obtained joints was discussed. The results showed that voids formed at the lap interface without ultrasonic assistance. No voids can be observed on the joint welded with ultrasonic because the vibration during welding improved the material flow. No obvious IMC formed at the Al/Ti bonding interface of the joint welded without ultrasonic assistance. An IMC layer formed at the bonding interface of Al/Ti with ultrasonic assistance and its thickness increased with decreasing the welding speed. The failure load of the joint welded with ultrasonic assistance was higher than the joint without ultrasonic because the void was eliminated and the thin IMC layer formed at the bonding interface was beneficial to joint strength. All joints presented shear failure mode during the tensile shear tests.