Dissimilar laser welding of a NiTi shape memory alloy to Ti₂AlNb

NiTi-based shape memory alloys and the Ti2AlNb alloy have gained increasing importance in the aerospace field. The joining of these two materials can further increment the importance and usage of these relevant engineering materials and expand their potential applications. However, when joining NiTi-based shape memory alloys to Ti-based alloys, the formation of brittle Ti-rich intermetallic compounds often occurs, significantly limiting their functionality and use. Dissimilar joints between a NiTi shape memory alloy and Ti2AlNb alloy were obtained using a 0.1 mm thick Niobium (Nb) interlayer via laser welding. By process optimization, sound joints were obtained. The microstructure evolution was assessed by means of electron microscopy, whereas the mechanical strength of the joints was evaluated using lap shear tensile testing. The best performing joints were seen to fracture at maximum loads above 1230 N, thus allowing us to consider this dissimilar pair for structural applications.