Molten titanium weld metal must be totally protected from contamination by air. Also, hot heat-affected zones and root side of titanium welds must be shielded until temperatures drop below 800 degrees F. Titanium reacts readily with air, moisture, grease, dirt, refractories, and most other metals to form brittle compounds. Reaction of titanium with gases and fluxes makes common welding processes such as gas welding, shielded metal arc, flux cored arc, and submerged arc welding unsuitable. In spite of the precautions which need to be taken, many fabricators are routinely and economically welding titanium, making sound, ductile welds at comparable rates to many other high performance materials. The same is true of weld wire or rod in commercially pure grades.
Field welding is common.
Wherever the welding is done, a clean environment is necessary in which to weld titanium. A separate area, specifically set aside for the welding of titanium, aids in making quality welds. This area should be kept clean and should be isolated from dirt-producing operations such as grinding, torch cutting and painting. In addition, the welding area should be free of air drafts and humidity should be controlled. Resistance, plasma arc, electron beam and friction welding are also used on titanium to a limited extent.