Reasons and solutions for cracks in titanium plates and titanium steel composite plates

2025,07,09

Cracks are common defects in titanium plate welding. Titanium weld cracks are cold cracks, which are mainly caused by hydrogen in the weld. The sources of hydrogen are mainly moisture and oil in the plate and welding wire, and environmental humidity is the main reason for hydrogen increase in the weld.

During welding, under high temperature, a large amount of hydrogen is dissolved in the molten pool. During the cooling and solidification process of the weld, hydrogen is very easy to escape due to the rapid decrease in solubility. If the weld cools too fast, hydrogen will not have time to escape and remain in the weld, which will make the hydrogen in the weld in an oversaturated state, so hydrogen will try its best to diffuse and cause this area to further embrittle.

If there is a notch effect in this part and the concentration of hydrogen is high enough, cracks may occur. Especially in winter construction, the ambient temperature is low and water vapor adheres to the titanium plate, creating conditions for hydrogenation in the weld. Because the titanium plate is too thin (1.2mm), the steel plate is relatively "heat-sensitive" and the temperature rises slowly. The corresponding titanium composite layer weld cools too quickly. During the cooling process, the residual hydrogen in the weld does not have time to escape and exists in the weld in an oversaturated form, which eventually leads to the appearance of cracks.

Therefore, during the welding process of titanium steel composite plates, the surface of the base material and welding wire must be carefully cleaned, and the ambient temperature must not be lower than 5°C. During winter construction, the base steel surface should be preheated with a flame to remove moisture around the weld and to increase the temperature of the weldment and reduce the cooling rate of the weld.

Author:

Mr. Aaron Shen

E-mail:

shenguanlun9696@gmail.com

Phone/WhatsApp:

+86 13709173123