Abstract:
There have been a number of new processes developed that allow the joining of very dissimilar
materials such as titanium alloys, wear resistant white irons, cast irons and ceramic materials to
ferrous (mild steel) and non-ferrous (aluminium) alloys. These new processes have allowed the
development of more complex composite shapes to be produced. However, with any new process
development, an understanding of the mechanism of bonding is required. Through the use of x-ray
mapping (XRM), chemical phase imaging as well as electron back scattered diffraction (EBSD)
analysis, very useful information on the mass transport across the interface as well as phase
segregation, texture variations and phase distribution within the bond interface can be obtained.
Results from this investigation on a number of bonded materials are presented and the importance of
XRM and EBSD in providing a better understanding of the physical and chemical processes
involved in metallurgical bonding/welding of dissimilar materials discussed.
