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Home News The Mystery of Lag Discoloration in Titanium Welding: Causes And Solutions

In titanium welding, the weld color serves as a critical visual indicator of gas protection quality. However, a phenomenon known as "lag discoloration"—where the weld appears silver-white initially but gradually turns gold, blue, or gray during cooling—signals underlying contamination that can severely compromise material performance.


Color as a Quality Indicator

  • Silver-White: Ideal, indicating minimal oxidation

  • Light Gold: Acceptable, slight oxidation

  • Dark Blue/Purple: Unacceptable, requires evaluation

    Gray/White Powder: Critical failure, must be reworked

Lag discoloration occurs when oxygen, nitrogen, or hydrogen infiltrates the titanium after the arc extinguishes but while the material remains above 400°C.


Why Lag Discoloration Occurs

Titanium actively absorbs atmospheric gases at temperatures above 400°C. While the front side of the weld is protected by argon, the back side and heat-affected zone (HAZ) remain vulnerable.

 Key Risk Factors:

Backside Oxidation: Insufficient shielding on the weld root

  • Premature Gas Cut-off: Stopping argon too early after welding

  • Extended High-Temperature Exposure: HAZ remains above 400°C post-weld


Consequences of Weld Discoloration

Gas contamination leads to:

Embrittlement: Reduced ductility and toughness
  • Hydrogen Cracking: Delayed fracture under stress
  • Loss of Corrosion Resistance: Degraded performance in critical applications

Even visually acceptable welds may require mechanical testing and metallurgical analysis to ensure integrity.


Prevention Strategies

1. Extended Shielding

Use trailing shields or purge chambers to protect the weld until it cools below 400°C
Maintain argon flow for 5–15 seconds after arc extinction

2. Backside Purging

Employ custom gas chambers or local purging to shield the root side

3. Environmental Control

Weld in argon-filled tents or sealed enclosures for high-risk applications

4. Process Optimization

Pre-flow argon (1–2 seconds) before arc ignition
Regulate gas flow rates to ensure consistent coverage



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