Oxygen affinity of titanium
Titanium has a strong oxygen affinity and dissolves oxygen at elevated temperatures, leading to embrittlement and loss of toughness.
Physicochemical Mechanism of Action
Titanium reacts strongly with oxygen, especially at high temperatures. This leads to the dissolution of oxygen in titanium, which changes the chemical composition of the material.
Metallurgical Relevance & Welding Risks
The strong oxygen affinity of titanium can cause embrittlement of the weld. This increases the susceptibility to cracking and lowers the toughness of the material. If handled incorrectly, this can lead to severe deformation or even fracture of the weld.
Workshop Practice & Action Instructions
To minimize the risk of embrittlement, the weld should be cooled at low temperatures. Use a slow cooling rate and avoid rapid cooling phases. When selecting the welding process, choose methods that minimize embrittlement, such as gas welding with argon or helium as shielding gas.