Experimental investigation on microstructure, hardness and corrosion resistance of an electromagnetic welded titanium-stainless steel dissimilar materials

Abstract

The electromagnetic welding (EMW), often known as magnetic pulse welding, is a 
solid-state welding technology that is used to join two different materials using high-velocity 
impact. In this study an attempt was made to join the Titanium(Ti)- Stainless Steel(SS 304)
materials with the help of multi turn disc coil along with the field shaper. A comparative 
investigation was conducted on the joint's microstructure, as well as its mechanical and 
corrosion properties. Inverted optical microscopy (OM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were 
used to do the microstructural characterization of the joint. The micro-Vickers hardness test 
was used to analyse the material's mechanical properties. In addition, electrochemical 
experiments were run on the Ti-SS 304 EMW junction as well as the component materials to 
establish how resistant they were to corrosion. Using an electrochemical impedance analyzer, 
the levels of corrosion that were caused by the structures were measured while they were 
submerged in a solution of nitric acid at room temperature. The microstructural pictures 
revealed a wave-like pattern at the material's interface, which is evidence of strong adhesion 
between the components. The micro vickers hardness of the joints was within the permitted 
range, as was the corrosion rate