Phase formation in Ti/Ni dissimilar welds

We explore phase formation in Ti/Ni dissimilar welds using a combination of microscopy and composition analysis (TEM, SEM and EDS). Main microstructural features are NiTi dendrites and Ti2Ni grains in the inter-dendritic space. The high temperature 132 phase of NiTi is found to transform to trigonal 'R'-phase, B19' martensite, and rhombohedral Ni4Ti3 phase; these different transformation products highlight the composition inhomogeneity in the parent B2 phase and probable non-equilibrium solidification events during rapid cooling of the weld. Solidification sequence of NiTi and Ti2Ni was found to vary depending on local conditions in the weld. Formation of impurity nitride phases of titanium is observed which signify incomplete shielding during welding. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.