Augmented Heating of Dissimilar Metals to Improve Joinability of Friction Welds

Taylor-Winfield Technologies and Edison Welding Institute (EWI) will investigate the use of induction heating to preheat dissimilar titanium couples. The temperature control of the preheat method will be coupled with finite element modeling and experimental proof of concepts. Preheating dissimilar titanium couples prior to linear friction welding should significantly reduce cost, increase performance and reparability of current State of the Art one piece forgings used for integrally bladed disk. This experimental effort will help develop the process for localized preheating of the two parts to improve weldability, reduce propensity to crack, and reduce residual stress of difficult to join titanium alloy couples during linear friction welding. This experimental effort will involve the analysis of multiple welding trails coupled with process modeling to produce an industrial viable part preheating welding practice with optimized weld parameters.