Title: Weldability study of Ti-Ta-Nb alloy and pure titanium

Authors: H.C. Dey, V. Shankar, C.R. Das, A.K. Bhaduri

Addresses: Materials Joining Section, Materials Technology Division, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam 603102, Tamil Nadu, India. ' Materials Joining Section, Materials Technology Division, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam 603102, Tamil Nadu, India. ' Materials Joining Section, Materials Technology Division, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam 603102, Tamil Nadu, India. ' Materials Joining Section, Materials Technology Division, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam 603102, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract: Weldability of Ti–4.8%Ta–1.8%Nb alloy, for use in electrolytic dissolver of nuclear fuel reprocessing plant, was evaluated in autogenous bead-on-plate gas tungsten arc welds made at two different heat inputs. Pure titanium was also welded for comparison. A secondary shielding setup was employed for protection of the weldment from gaseous contamination during and after welding. In the weld and heat-affected zone (HAZ) of Ti-Ta-Nb weldments, plate-like martensite, characteristic of cooling rates during welding, was observed. Low heat input and slower welding speed resulted in greater proportion of the desirable fine equiaxed prior-β grains. Lower heat input also reduced HAZ width.

Keywords: Ti-Ta-Nb alloy; titanium; gas tungsten arc welding; GTAW; weldability; heat-affected zone; microstructure; titanium alloys; nuclear fuel reprocessing; nuclear energy; nuclear power; electrolytic dissolvers.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNEST.2005.007148

International Journal of Nuclear Energy Science and Technology, 2005 Vol.1 No.2/3, pp.246 - 253

Published online: 29 May 2005 *

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