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Titanium Welding Techniques

Welding titanium requires proper techniques and procedures. The application of wrong techniques can lead to weld contamination. Titanium can be welded much like other steel or nickel-based alloys, but there are certain differences requiring the different procedures. Titanium has a higher melting and lower ductility than steel. Titanium is also more prone to contamination than steel and other nickel-based alloys.

  1. Proper Cleaning

    • Before welding titanium, the welder must ensure that the weld wire and joints are clean. The trailing shield, back-up shield and torch should be purged to remove air. Titanium requires more attention to cleanliness. The accumulation of contaminants on the titanium weld can degrade the properties of the metal like resistance to corrosion. If the weld wire is dirty upon inspection, it can be cleaned using a solvent that does not contain chlorine. The pickled mill surfaces can be cleaned by scrubbing with ordinary detergents and other household cleaning agents. They should be rinsed with hot running water. Cleaning parts using solvents must be followed by brushing using a stainless steel brush. Steel wool must not be used on titanium because it affects corrosion resistance.

    Correct Inert Gas Shielding

    • The use of auxiliary inert gas shielding is important. The root side of titanium welds and other zones affected by heat should be shielded until temperature falls below 800 degrees Fahrenheit. When the weld is blue in color, it is a sign that the shielding gas was removed prematurely. Titanium easily reacts with the air, dirt, moisture and most metals to form compounds. Common welding processes are not suitable for titanium due to the different reaction of this metal with fluxes and gases. Primary shielding is provided to the molten weld puddle with the use of the right welding torch. For titanium, the proper welding torch should be the ones that can be cooled by water equipped with gas lenses and big ceramic cups.

    Other Techniques

    • Welding titanium in an open field is the normal practice. The welding area should be free from the dirt produced by other activities like painting, grinding and cutting torch. In welding titanium, the arc length without filler metal must be the same as the electrode diameter. The maximum length of the arc when the filler metal is added should be about twice that of the electrode diameter. The filler wire is placed inside the weld area between the arc cone and the weld joint. The continuous feeding of weld wire should be done smoothly. Improper dipping techniques may only cause disturbance and possibly contaminate the heated wire when it is removed from the shield.

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