Fusion Welding Unalloyed Titanium Sheet: An Account of Improved Methods of Welding without Filler Rod

The great fluidity of titanium metal in the molten condition lends itself to fusion welding without the addition of filler metal. The resulting welds are flush with the base metal and have high ductility, comparable to the ductility of the base metal. The welded joints can be made by hand or automatic methods. A critical requirement of this type of weld is fit‐up of the parts to be joined. The back‐up and hold‐down fixtures also have a decided effect on the resulting weld. A sheared surface resulting in a joint without gaps is required for a satisfactory weld. Fused welds have been principally used, to date, for longitudinal tight butt joints in material up to .062 in. thick. Further testing and experience should extend the limits of application. Bend tests made on welded samples have bent 180 deg. over a 2T bend radius exhibiting equal or greater ductility than the base metal. Welds tested in tension have exhibited over 100 per cent efficiency in all cases. The elimination of welding rod has reduced the amount of contamination in the weld and the weld area.