The Effects of Electrode Force on the Mechanical Behaviour of Resistance Spot‐Welded 5083‐O Aluminium Alloy Joints

Abstract: In this study, the effects of electrode force on the static and fatigue strength of spot welded joints of 5083‐O aluminium alloy sheets were investigated. The thickness of the sheet joints was 1.5 mm. Tensile‐shear joints with one spot weld were considered and three different load levels for electrode force were selected as 2500 N, 3000 N and 3500 N while the welding time and electric current were fixed during resistance spot welding process. Also, micro‐structures and micro‐hardness of cross‐sectional area of the test samples were investigated. The results show that increasing the electrode force from 2500 N to 3000 N has no major impact on the nugget size and fatigue strength of the specimens, but increasing the electrode force from 3000 N to 3500 N, despite reducing in the diameter of the nuggets, increases the fatigue life of the joints significantly. The results also indicate that increasing the electrode force increases the life associated with the crack initiation phase of total fatigue lifetime.     

Influence of process variables on the characteristics of friction‐stir‐welded polyamide 6,6 joints

This paper aims to study the feasibility of friction stir welding of thermoplastic material polyamide 6,6. The maximum joint strength achieved through the optimized process variables is 41 MPa. The maximum temperature rise of 126 °C is achieved and the weld nugget exhibits a hardness of 69 D on Shore hardness scale. Fractography analysis reveals that the fracture followed a continuous plastic flow comprising less prominent fibrillation and more elongated voids. An increase in glass transition temperature T_g is observed in the weld specimen. The impact of the welding process variables on the frequency and band shift of the functional groups of the polymer is also discussed.     

Effect of process parameters on the strength of resistance spot welds in 6082-T6 aluminium alloy

In this study the microstructural and mechanical behaviour of resistance spot welds (RSW) done on aluminium alloy 6082-T6 sheets, welded at different welding parameters, is examined. Microstructural examinations and hardness evaluations were carried out in order to determine the influence of welding parameters on the quality of the welds. The welded joints were subjected to static tensile-shear tests in order to determine their strength and failure mode. The increase in weld current and duration increased the nugget size and the weld strength. Beyond a critical nugget diameter the failure mode changed from interfacial to pullout. Taking into consideration the sheet thickness and the mechanical properties of the weld, a simple model is proposed to predict the critical nugget diameter required to produce pull-out failure mode in undermatched welds in heat-treatable aluminium alloys.     

New parametric study of nugget size in resistance spot welding process using finite element method

Resistance spot welding process (RSW) is one of important manufacturing processes in automotive industry for assembling bodies. Quality and strength of the welds and therefore body mainly are defined by quality of the weld nuggets. The most effective parameters in this process are: current intensity, welding time, sheet thickness and material, geometry of electrodes, electrode force, and current shunting. In present research, a mechanical–electrical–thermal coupled model in a finite element analysis environment is made using. Via simulating this process, the phenomenon of nugget formation and the effects of process parameters on this phenomenon are studied. Moreover, the effects of welding parameters on temperature of faying surface are studied. Using this analysis, shape and size of weld nuggets are computed and validated by comparing them with experimental results from published articles. The methodology developed in this paper provides prediction of quality and shape of the weld nuggets with variation of each process parameter. Utilizing this methodology assists in adjusting welding parameters so that costly experimental works can be avoided. In addition, the process can be economically optimized to manufacture quality automotive bodies.     

Microstructure simulation and ballistic behaviour of weld zones in friction stir welds in high strength aluminium 7xxx plate

The effect of friction stir welding (FSW) on the knockdown in properties and failure mechanisms of high strength aluminium plate (AA7010-T7651) under ballistic impact has been investigated by modelling and ballistic testing, simulated, and actual weld zone microstructures, in order to systematically study the link to weld microstructural variation. FSW of thick plate leads to an extremely wide heat affected zone (HAZ). The microstructures within the weld zones were successfully modelled and simulated. However, the maximum loss of hardness in the HAZ resulted in only a 20% reduction in the ballistic limit (V₅₀). The maximum V₅₀ was associated with the highest level of hardness reached prior to a change in failure mechanism, from ductile hole enlargement, using an armour piercing (AP) projectile, or plugging with a fragment simulation projectile (FSP) to excessive spalling and associated adiabatic shear banding at too high hardness levels. The behaviour of the nugget zone has also been examined. The trends in the ballistic data are discussed in the context of the weld zone microstructures and fracture mechanisms.     

Effect of governing metal thickness and stack orientation on weld quality and mechanical behaviour of resistance spot welding of AA5754 aluminium

A study was carried out to investigate the effect of governing metal thickness (GMT) and stack orientation on weld quality and mechanical behaviour of resistance spot welded (RSW) AA5754 aluminium. Individual samples from 27 different joint stacks in three test geometries; lap-shear, coach-peel and cross-tension were evaluated for quasi-static and fatigue performance; micro examination was also conducted on some of the samples to assess weld quality. The results derived from over 1000 samples show that: the GMT has a significant effect on welding quality by controlling progression of weld nugget from under-developed to over penetrated. The GMT also determines the feasible quasi-static joint strength regardless of stacks in the three joint geometries tested, though the effect differs with respect to test geometry. The fatigue behaviour is dominated by the effect of GMT on attainable weld size, overall joint stiffness and stress concentration, providing good quality of weld nuggets is achieved. No notable effect of stack orientation on weld quality and joint strength was found with respect to the joint stack asymmetry and welding orientation to the electrodes. These fundamental relationships between weld qualities, joint strength, GMT and stack orientation for RSW of aluminium will have significant relevance to design and manufacturing communities.     

Influences of Friction Stir Welding and Post‐Weld Heat Treatment on Al–Cu–Li Alloy

In this paper, the influences of friction stir welding (FSW) and post‐weld heat treatment (PWHT) on the microstructures and tensile properties of Al–Cu–Li alloy are investigated. After FSW, strengthen loss occurred in the welding area. Remarkable softening occurs in the thermo‐mechanically affected zone (TMAZ) resulting from dissolution of Al₃Li (δ′) phases. Recrystallization and precipitation of ultra‐fine δ′ phases take place in the nugget zone (NZ) that lightens the softening degree of this zone. A noteworthy enhancement in the hardness and tensile strength of the joint is achieved after T8 re­aging treatment (3% ? pre‐deformation, 30 h at 152 °C). However, re‐solution treatment coupled with re‐aging treatment leads to ductility deterioration in the joint because coplanar slip of coarse Al₃Li phases induces severe stress concentration during plastic deformation.

     

Comparative study on CO2 laser overlap welding and resistance spot welding for galvanized steel

The CO₂ laser overlap welding and the resistance spot welding are respectively investigated on DC56D galvanized steel used for auto body. The characteristics of the two types of welding methods are systematically analyzed in terms of the weld molding, tensile-shear performance, microstructure, hardness, and corrosion resistance of welding joint. The results show that, the fusion widths of the upper and lower surface are almost the same for the resistance welding joint, and the weld nugget is surrounded by the heat-affected zone. While the laser welding joint belongs to deep penetration welding, the weld fusion width presents wide at the top and narrow at the bottom, and the heat-affected zone is situated on both sides of the weld pool. Compared with resistance spot welding joint, laser welding joints have much more ultrafine microstructures, much smaller heat-affected zones, as well as greater resistance to deformation and corrosion. In addition, the tensile-shear performance of laser weld joints is superior to that of resistance welding joints under certain conditions.     

Characterization of magnesium spot welds under tensile and cyclic loadings

Resistance spot welds of a magnesium alloy were characterized in terms of microstructure, hardness and monotonic and cyclic properties. Microstructural features in base metal and different zones in the weld region were discussed and the mechanical behavior of spot welds in tensile–shear configuration was studied. Effects of welding parameters were investigated on the micro- and macro-scale characteristics of magnesium spot welds. To this end, five sets of spot weld specimens were prepared, utilizing different welding parameters. The effect of cyclic loading was studied on microstructure and hardness of the base metal and the weld region, and it was shown that microstructural features do not change remarkably under cyclic loading. Fatigue crack initiation and propagation behavior was discussed for different specimen sets under both low and high cyclic loads. Fatigue cracks under high cyclic loading initiated close to the nugget edge, and decreasing the cyclic load nucleated the cracks farther from the nugget.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of spray formed 7055 aluminum alloy by underwater friction stir welding

Ultra-high strength spray formed 7055 aluminum alloy in which Zn is supersaturated solid solution requires strict control of heat input in welding process. In this paper, underwater friction stir welding is carried out in order to reduce heat input comparing with traditional friction stir welding and further improve the joint performances by varying welding temperature history. Through comparing the thermal cycle curves and distribution of residual stress of the plate welded in different media, the reason why the joint welded underwater shows a better performance is figured out. The result shows that tensile strength, hardness and plasticity of underwater welded joint are better than that welded in air. The underwater joint has a fine grained microstructure without “S line” defect, a typically distinct boundary between the weld nugget zone and the thermal mechanically affected zone and a narrow heat affected zone. The main strengthening phase in underwater joint is MgZn₂ .     

Resistance spot welding joints of AISI 316L austenitic stainless steel sheets: Phase transformations,mechanical properties and microstructure characterizations

In this paper, we aim to optimize welding parameters namely welding current and time in resistance spot welding (RSW) of the austenitic stainless steel sheets grade AISI 316L. Afterward, effect of optimum welding parameters on the resistance spot welding properties and microstructure of AISI 316L austenitic stainless steel sheets has been investigated. Effect of welding current at constant welding time was considered on the weld properties such as weld nugget size, tensile–shear load bearing capacity of welded materials, failure modes, failure energy, ductility, and microstructure of weld nuggets as well. Phase transformations that took place during weld thermal cycle were analyzed in more details including metallographic studies of welding of the austenitic stainless steels. Metallographic images, mechanical properties, electron microscopy photographs and micro-hardness measurements showed that the region between interfacial to pullout mode transition and expulsion limit is defined as the optimum welding condition. Backscattered electron scanning microscopic images (BE-SEM) showed various types of delta ferrite in weld nuggets. Three delta ferrite morphologies consist of skeletal, acicular and lathy delta ferrite morphologies formed in resistance spot welded regions as a result of non-equilibrium phases which can be attributed to the fast cooling rate in RSW process and consequently, prediction and explanation of the obtained morphologies based on Schaeffler, WRC-1992 and Pseudo-binary phase diagrams would be a difficult task.     

Influence of friction stir welding process and tool parameters on strength properties of AA7075-T6 aluminium alloy joints

The aircraft aluminium alloys generally present low weldability by traditional fusion welding process. The development of the friction stir welding has provided an alternative improved way of satisfactorily producing aluminium joints, in a faster and reliable manner. In this present work, the influence of process and tool parameters on tensile strength properties of AA7075-T₆ joints produced by friction stir welding was analysed. Square butt joints were fabricated by varying process parameters and tool parameters. Strength properties of the joints were evaluated and correlated with the microstructure, microhardness of weld nugget. From this investigation it is found that the joint fabricated at a tool rotational speed of 1400 rpm, welding speed of 60 mm/min, axial force of 8 kN, using the tool with 15 mm shoulder diameter, 5 mm pin diameter, 45 HRc tool hardness yielded higher strength properties compared to other joints.     

Analysis of local microstructure and hardness of 13 mm gauge 2024-T351 AA friction stir welds

Abstract

The friction stir welding process has been used to join 13 mm gauge 2024-T351 aluminium alloy plates together. A detailed microstructural study of the resulting weld was carried out using differential scanning calorimetry, hardness testing, scanning electron microscopy and electron backscatter diffraction. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to explain the hardness results at a number of regions across the weld in terms of co-cluster dissolution and reformation and S phase formation, coarsening and dissolution. The 'onion rings' structure found in the nugget weld was shown to be the result of a combination of the slight grain size variations and a change in nature and size of the particles present, i.e. intragranular v. intergranular. The variation in corrosion properties and hardness of the rings is discussed in terms of the local microstructure and quench sensitivities.     

Dissimilar Resistance Spot Welding of Q&P and TWIP Steel Sheets

Dissimilar resistance spot welding of twinning induced plasticity (TWIP) and quenching and partitioning (Q&P) steel grades has been investigated by evaluating the effects of clamping force, welding current, and welding time on the microstructure, shear tension strength, and fracture of welded samples. The spot welding of TWIP and Q&P steels promotes the occurrence of an asymmetrical weld nugget with a greater dilution of TWIP steel because of its lower melting temperature and thermal conductivity. As a result, weld nuggets exhibit an austenitic microstructure. TWIP steel undergoes a grain coarsening in the HAZ, whereas Q&P steel undergoes some phase transformations. Welded samples tend to exhibit higher shear tension strength as they are joined at the highest welding current, even though an improper clamping force can promote excessive metal expulsion, thereby reducing the mechanical strength of the welded joints. Shear tension welded samples failed through interfacial fracture with partial thickness fracture mode for a low welding current, while partial thickness with button pull fractures were observed when a high welding current was used. The weld spots predominantly failed at the TWIP side. However, as TWIP steel can work harden significantly in the more resistant welded joints, the failures occur, instead, at the Q&P side.     

Characteristics of the reverse dual-rotation friction stir welding conducted on 2219-T6 aluminum alloy

Reverse dual-rotation friction stir welding (RDR-FSW) has great potential to obtain appropriate welding conditions through adjusting the independently rotating tool pin and surrounding shoulder. The welding torque exerted on the workpiece by the reversely rotating shoulder also cancels off a part of the welding torque exerted by the rotating tool pin, thus the clamping requirement for the workpiece is also reduced. In the present paper, a tool system for the RDR-FSW was designed and successfully applied to weld high strength aluminum alloy 2219-T6, and then microstructures and mechanical properties of the optimized joint were investigated to demonstrate the RDR-FSW characteristics. The weld nugget zone was characterized by the homogeneity of refined grain structures, but there was a three-phase confluction on the advancing side formed by different grain structures from three different zones. The tensile strength of the optimized joint was 328 MPa (73.7% of the base material), showing an obvious improvement when compared with the optimized joint welded by the FSW without the reversely rotating assisted shoulder. The tensile fracture occurred in the ductile fracture mode and the fracture path propagated in the weakest region where the Vickers hardness is the minimum.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of friction spot welded 6061-T4 aluminum alloy

Friction spot welding (FSpW) is a relatively new solid state joining technology developed by GKSS. In the present study, FSpW was applied to join the 6061-T4 aluminum alloy sheet with 2 mm thickness. The microstructure of the weld can be classified into four regions, which are stir zone (SZ), thermo-mechanically affected zone (TMAZ), heat affected zone (HAZ) and the base material (BM), respectively. Meanwhile, defects such as bonding ligament, hook and voids are found in the weld, which are associated to the material flow. The hardness profile of the weld exhibits a W-shaped appearance and the minimum hardness is measured at the boundary of TMAZ and SZ. Both the tensile/shear strength and cross-tension strength reach the maximum of 7117.0 N and 4555.4 N at the welding condition of the rotational speed of 1500 rpm and duration time of 4 s. Compared to cross-tension strength, the tensile/shear strength were stable with the variation of processing parameters. Three different fracture modes are observed under tensile/shear loading, which are plug type fracture, shear fracture and plug-shear fracture. There are also there different fracture modes under cross-tension loading, which are plug type fracture (on the upper sheet), nugget debonding and plug type fracture (on the lower sheet).     

Effects of tool rotation speed on microstructures and mechanical properties of AA2219-T6 welded by the external non-rotational shoulder assisted friction stir welding

The external non-rotational shoulder assisted friction stir welding (NRSA-FSW) was applied to weld high strength aluminum alloy 2219-T6 successfully, and effects of the tool rotation speed on microstructures and mechanical properties were investigated in detail. Defect-free joints were obtained in a wide range of tool rotation speeds from 600 rpm to 900 rpm, but cavity defects appeared on the advancing side when the tool rotation speed increased to 1000 rpm. The microstructural deformation and heat generation were dominated by the rotating tool pin and sub-size concave shoulder, while the non-rotational shoulder helped to improve the weld formation. Microstructures and Vickers hardness distributions showed that the NRSA-FSW is beneficial to improving the asymmetry and inhomogeneity, especially in the weld nugget zone (WNZ). At the tool rotation speed of 800 rpm, both the tensile strength and the elongation reached the maximum, and the maximum tensile strength was up to 69.0% of the base material. All defect-free joints were fractured at the weakest region with minimum Vickers hardness in the WNZ, while for the joint with cavity defects the fracture occurred at the defect location.     

DP590双相钢点焊接头的正交试验及超声检测分析

对DP590双相钢点焊接头进行正交试验,研究不同工艺因素对点焊接头失效载荷和焊核直径的影响,确定最优点焊工艺参数,并探讨点焊接头压痕深度的超声测量方法.采用超声波水浸聚焦入射法对1.5 mm厚的DP590双相钢点焊接头进行超声C扫描,获得接头焊核直径,利用超声A扫信号,计算点焊接头压痕深度,并与实际测量结果对比.研究表明:焊接参数对DP590点焊接头的失效载荷与焊核直径的显著性影响一致,从大到小依次为焊接电流、焊接时间、电极压力;DP590点焊接头最优的焊接工艺参数为:焊接时间70 ms,焊接电流15.0 k A,电极压力6.5 k N,在此参数下接头的抗拉强度为9 521.4 N;超声A扫信号计算得到的点焊接头表面压痕率与实际压痕率的误差在2.5%~9.7%,超声计算所得压痕深度与实际测量压痕率较为接近.     

Overload failure behaviour of dissimilar thickness resistance spot welds during tensile shear test

Abstract

Resistance spot welding is the dominant process for joining sheet metals in automotive industry. Even thickness combinations are rarely used in practice; therefore, there is clearly a practical need for failure behaviour investigation of uneven thickness resistance spot welds. The aim of the present paper is to investigate the failure mode and failure mechanism of dissimilar thickness low carbon steel resistance spot welds during tensile shear overload test. Microstructural investigations, microhardness tests and tensile shear tests were conducted. Mechanical properties of the joints were described in terms of peak load, energy absorption and failure mode. In order to understand the failure mechanism, micrographs of the cross-sections of the spot welded joints during and after tensile shear are examined by optical microscopy. It was found that for well established weld nuggets, the final solidification line is located in the geometrical centre of the joint. In pull-out failure mode, failure is initiated by necking of the base metal at the thinner thickness sheet. Finally, it was concluded that weld nugget size, weld penetration and the strength of the thinner sheet are the main controlling factors of the peak load and energy absorption of dissimilar thickness spot welds.     

Empfehlungen zur Werkstoffauswahl und zu den Schweißdaten für NH3-Lagerbehälter und NH3-Kesselwagen

Recommendations for Selection of Material and welding Electrodes for NH₃-storage Vessel and NH₃-Transport Container In liquid ammonia mostly only weld seams show cracks. Extensive SEM-investigations have shown that these are hydrogen induced cracks. During weld tests with the base materials St E 335 and St E 460 in different charges high yield strengths were determined in the weld material. Very often the yield strength values increase after stress relieving. This is caused by precipitation, which leads to a bracing of the lattice, thus raising the yield point. To ensure one of the base material adapted yield strength in the weld it is only possible in very rare cases with suitable weld additives. In the St E 460 with nitrogen and vanadium the yield strength value in the weld is even by use of the wire S 1 and neutral powder over 600 N/mm². It was found out that hydrogen induced cracks in the weld above 550 N/mm² yield strength occur very likely below 550 N/mm² occur very little. In the base material St E 355 the yield strength was limited for this reason in the weld with 500 N/mm² in the base material St E 460 limited with 550 N/mm². Proof has to be furnished for all welding procedures, sheet charges and weld additives applicable by means of welding probes.