Stainless steel (SS) and titanium alloys can be welded in the solid-state by high speed oblique impact.Here,the effect of a niobium (Nb) interlayer on weld strength and thermal stability is evaluated.Both Ti/SS and Ti/Nb/SS welds were subjected to thermal exposure ranging from 300 ℃ to 950 ℃ for 1.5 h.Thermal exposure monotonically decreases the strength and toughness of the Ti/SS pair with a dramatic falloffin strength and change in failure mode from partial pullout failure to full interfacial fracture at 600℃.With the interlayer,toughness was increased versus baseline up to 700 ℃ thermal exposure and then intermetallic formation again caused falloff in properties.Guidelines for the production,properties and applications of these classes of welds are provided.