Joint strength and failure mechanism of laser spot weld of mild steel sheets under lap shear loading

Abstract

Ultimate strength and failure mechanism of laser spot welds under lap shear loading were investigated. Optical micrographs of cross-section of spot welds before and after failure were examined to understand the failure behaviour. The experimental results indicate that laser spot welds can fail in two distinct modes, namely interfacial and pullout failure. A failure mechanism which was confirmed by SEM investigations was proposed to describe these two failure modes. According to the experimental observations, a simple stress solution related to the far field load was conducted and the critical weld nugget diameter to ensure pullout failure mode was estimated. The results were compared with the experimental data and also with the test data of resistance spot welds. It was observed that the critical nugget diameter of laser spot welding was larger than that of resistance spot welding due to the different failure location in pullout mode. Furthermore, the effect of welding parameters on joint strength and failure mode was studied.     

Projection friction stir spot welding: a pathway to produce strong keyhole-free welds

ABSTRACT

This paper introduces a novel facile method, called projection friction stir spot welding, to produce a keyhole-free friction stir welds based on a pinless tool method involving using a specially designed projection on the surface of the backing anvil. The projection plays two key roles contributing to the bonding mechanism and the joint strength: (i) encouraging the material flow perpendicular to the joint interface and (ii) bending the joint interface at the edge of the projection. The process enables pathway to produce keyhole-free welds with superior mechanical performance in steel sheets compared to the other spot welding techniques.     

Influence of tool design on mechanical properties of AZ31 friction stir spot welds

Abstract

The influence of tool design on the energy output, microstructural features and overlap shear strength properties of friction stir spot welds made of AZ31 base material is examined. The mechanical properties of AZ31 friction stir spot welds made using three-flat/threaded tools are superior to those in joints made using a tool with a threaded pin at all tool rotational speed settings. It is proposed that the failure load properties are optimised when the friction stir spot welding operation is carried out in such a manner that it produces a large bonded width, a small v/t ratio (the height of the hook region above the sheet intersection divided by the thickness of the upper sheet) and a hook region, which is curved outwards from the tool axis.     

Joint formation in dissimilar Al alloy/steel and Mg alloy/steel friction stir spot welds

Abstract

The microstructural features and overlap shear strength properties of friction stir spot welds made between Al 6111 and low carbon steel, and between Mg alloy AM60 and DP600 dual phase steel, are investigated. When Al 6111 is the upper sheet in the dissimilar sandwich, completed spot welds show evidence of intermetallic layer formation and cracking. Increasing tool pin penetration into the lower sheet provided increased mechanical interlocking of the sheets due to clinching. However, increasing penetration also promoted intermetallic formation and cracking in completed welds. However, dissimilar AM60/DP600 steel friction stir spot welds produced with AM60 as the upper sheet in the dissimilar sandwich do not show evidence of intermetallic formation and cracking may be avoided by removing the zinc coating on the DP600 steel before the friction stir spot welding operation.     

Welding behaviour,microstructure and mechanical properties of dissimilar resistance spot welds between galvannealed HSLA350 and DP600 steels

Abstract

Resistance spot welding experiments were conducted on dissimilar material combination of HSLA350/DP600 steels. The welds were characterised using optical and scanning electron microscopy. The fusion zone of the dissimilar material spot weld was predominantly martensitic with some bainite. Mechanical properties were also determined by tensile shear, cross tension and fatigue tests. The performance of dissimilar material spot weld was different from that of the similar ones in each of the HSLA350 and DP600 steels and exhibited different heat affected zone hardness. The DP600 weld properties played a dominating role in the microstructure and tensile properties of the dissimilar material spot welds. However, the fatigue performance of the dissimilar welds was similar to that of the HSLA350 welds. Fatigue tests on the dissimilar material spot welds showed that the 5·5 mm diameter nugget exhibited higher fatigue strength than the 7·5 mm diameter nugget.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of dissimilar welded Mg–Al joints by ultrasonic spot welding technique

Abstract

Dissimilar spot welds of magnesium–aluminium alloy were produced via a solid state welding process, i.e. ultrasonic spot welding, and a sound joint was obtained under most of the welding conditions. It was observed that a layer of intermetallic compound (IMC) consisting of Al₁₂M₁₇ formed at the weld centre where the hardness became higher. The lap shear strength and failure energy of the welds first increased and then decreased with increasing welding energy, with the maximum lap shear strength and failure energy occurring at ～1250 J. This was a consequence of the competition between the increasing diffusion bonding arising from higher temperatures and the deterioration effect of the intermetallic layer of increasing thicknesses. Failure predominantly occurred in between the aluminium alloy and the intermetallic layer, which normally stayed at the magnesium side or from the cracks of the IMCs in the reaction layer.     

Influence of welding current shape on expulsion and weld strength of resistance spot welds

Abstract

The present paper presents the influence of welding current shape on weld strength of resistance spot welds of zinc coated mild steel sheets. The influence is analysed at different levels of the electrode wear. Welding currents with different peak values and different RMS (root mean square) values were used in the experiment. The results show that welding current with high peak values implies higher weld strength.     

Suppression of liquid metal embrittlement in resistance spot welding of TRIP steel

ABSTRACT

Third-generation advanced high strength steels are typically given a zinc coating that provides excellent resistance to corrosion. During the resistance spot welding process, the melted zinc coating enables liquid metal embrittlement (LME) that causes cracking in the weld indent. In this study, LME in TRIP 1100 and TRIP 1200 steels was suppressed by placing aluminium interlayers added between the electrode and steel contact surface. Compared to welds exhibiting LME, TRIP 1100 with aluminium interlayers showed complete strength recovery while TRIP 1200 with aluminium interlayers resulted in a recovery of strength by 90%. Aluminium interlayers suppress LME by the formation of iron aluminides that hinder liquid zinc from coming in contact with the steel substrate, thus preventing LME.     

Resistance and friction stir spot welding of DP600: a comparative study

Abstract

Efforts to reduce vehicle weight and improve crash performance have resulted in increased application of advanced high strength steels (AHSS) and a recent focus on the weldability of these alloys. Resistance spot welding (RSW) is the primary sheet metal welding process in the manufacture of automotive assemblies. Friction stir spot welding (FSSW) was invented as a novel method to spot welding sheet metal and has proven to be a potential candidate for spot welding AHSS. A comparative study of RSW and FSSW on spot welding AHSS has been completed. The objective of this work is to compare the microstructure and mechanical properties of Zn coated DP600 AHSS (1·2 mm thick) spot welds conducted using both processes. This was accomplished by examining the metallurgical cross-sections and local hardnesses of various spot weld regions. High speed data acquisition was also used to monitor process parameters and attain energy outputs for each process. Results show a correlation found among microstructure, failure loads, energy requirements and bonded area for both spot welding processes.     

A pathway to produce strong and tough martensitic stainless steels resistance spot welds

ABSTRACT

Martensitic stainless steel (MSS) resistance spot welds are prone to quasi-cleavage interfacial failure with very low energy absorption capability due to formation of hard and brittle carbon and chromium rich martensite in the fusion zone (FZ). In this work, a new pathway is proposed to enhance strength/toughness of the MSS resistance spot welds based on modification of the FZ composition/microstructure via introducing a nickel interlayer. This altered the FZ microstructure from dual phase microstructure of martensite and δ-ferrite to austenitic microstructure with finely dispersed ultra-fine chromium rich carbides. Formation of a tough predominately austenitic microstructure in the FZ enabled achieving a pullout failure with an unprecedented level of energy absorption.     

Microstructural development in single crystal nickel base superalloy welds

Abstract

The welding behaviour of alloy PWA 1480, a single crystal nickel base super alloy, has been investigated. The ability to successfully weld single crystal nickel base superalloys is desirable for fabrication procedures as well as for potential repair applications in both aircraft and land based turbine systems. The microstructural development in welds of this alloy was characterised and analysed using a geometrical model developed earlier in the study of Fe–Cr–Ni single crystal welds. The microstructural features in the nickel base alloy welds and, in particular, the dendritic growth patterns, were accurately described by this model. However, several potential difficulties with the welding of the nickel base superalloys were identified. First, there is frequent formation of stray crystals which result in the loss of the single crystal nature of the weld. Second, dendritic zones are formed in the weld and these may result in a degradation of the weld properties, even if the single crystal character of the weldment remains intact. In addition, extensive cracking was found in these welds and this subject is dealt with in a companion paper.     

Penetration in spot GTA welds during centrifugation

Convective flow during arc welding processes mainly depends on electromagnetic force, Marangoni force, and buoyancy force. The Marangoni flow (caused by surface tension gradient,dγ/dT)and the buoyancy driven flow are the major factors in controlling weld penetration in austenitic stainless steels, such as types 304 and 316. Alloys 304 and 316 were subjected to a 7 s spot gas-tungsten arc (SGTA) welding at 1 g (g = 9.8 m/s ² )and 5 g accelerations. The welds at 5 g were performed on Clarkson University’s multigravity research welding system (MGRWS). The cross sections of the fusion zones were polished/etched, and their depth (D)and width (W)were measured to ± 0.025 mm. It was determined that the depth/width ratio (D/W)of the welds decreased as the acceleration increased from 1 to 5 g. This result indicates that increase in buoyancy driven flow will produce wider but shallower welds during SGTA welding.     

Surface breaking cracks in resistance spot welds of dual phase steels with electrogalvanised and hot dip zinc coating

Abstract

In normal production of resistance spot welded galvanised structures, it is difficult to completely avoid surface breaking cracks. Known key factors to cause cracking are zinc coating, electrode wear during subsequent welding and insufficient electrode cooling. In this report, an embrittlement mechanism was investigated that could be coupled to the galvanisation method for dual phase steels. With identical bulk material and weld parameters, the first 50 spot welds were crack free with electrogalvanised coating, while only 10 out of 50 were crack free with hot dip galvanised coating. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis of the worn electrode surfaces used for welding of the hot dip galvanised coating revealed areas of aluminium oxide. Since aluminium oxide is a very strong isolator, the electrical resistance will increase, which in turn is suggested to increase the surface temperature of the spot weld and thereby increase the probability for liquid metal embrittlement and surface cracks.     

Effects of surface conditions on resistance spot welding of Mg alloy AZ31

Abstract

In this work, resistance spot welding of Mg alloy AZ31 sheets was investigated in as received and acid cleaned surface conditions. As received sheets had higher contact resistance which required lower current thresholds for weld initiation and for four root t nugget size (where t is sheet thickness). However, it also led to both serious expulsion and internal defects. The fracture mode of welds in as received sheets was interfacial failure while that of the acid cleaned specimens shifted from interfacial to nugget pullout and exhibited better strength. The acid cleaned sheets also produced less damage on electrode tip faces.     

Role of interfacial reaction on the mechanical performance of Al/steel dissimilar refill friction stir spot welds

Al/steel welds were successfully fabricated by refill friction stir spot welding. The welding parameters were optimised based on the clamping ring temperature and weld strength. 85.7% of welds achieve a strength which exceeds the American Welding Society requirement when the clamping ring temperature ranges from 230 to 265°C. Cracks are formed under the pin and sleeve in the Al substrate at the Al/steel interface, which are associated with the tool sleeve plunging period and attributed to the α-Al?+?Al–Zn eutectic structure. The interdiffusion between Al and Zn at the steel surface produced an Al–Zn eutectic structure layer at the Al/steel interface, while part of the zinc coating materials is squeezed out of the sleeve periphery, leading to a brazing effect which contributes to weld strength. Nanoscale discontinuous Fe₄Al₁₃ and FeAl intermetallics form as a layer localised at the Al–Zn layer/steel substrate interface.     

Comparative study of fatigue behaviour in dissimilar Al alloy/steel and Mg alloy/steel friction stir spot welds fabricated by scroll grooved tool without probe

Abstract

Aluminium alloy A6061-T6 or magnesium alloy AZ31 sheet was welded to steel sheet by a friction stir spot welding technique using a scroll grooved tool without a probe. The material flow in the nugget of the Mg/steel weld was less than that in the Al/steel one. The Al/steel weld exhibited higher static tensile–shear strength than the Al/Al weld, while the strengths of Mg/steel and Mg/Mg welds were comparable. Tensile–shear fatigue tests were performed using lap shear specimens of both dissimilar and similar welds. The dissimilar welds exhibited nearly the same fatigue strengths as the similar ones. The effective nugget size in the dissimilar welds was defined as the area where Al or Mg alloy remained on the steel side after static fracture. When the fatigue strengths of dissimilar welds were evaluated based on the effective nugget size, the normalised fatigue strengths of Al/steel and Mg/steel welds were comparable.     

Hybrid laser/arc welding process for controlling bead profile

Abstract

A laser hybrid welding process in which a defocused laser beam is applied beside a gas metal arc weld (GMAW) pool to modify the bead shape was studied. The present paper aims to produce welds with improved toe geometry and better fatigue life than those made with GMAW alone and to apply a numerical simulation to help configure the hybrid process. First, stationary hybrid welds were made to validate weld bead shape predictions and to characterise the spreading of the arc weld deposit to the laser heated spot. Next, the travelling hybrid process was configured with the aid of simulations and fatigue test specimens were welded. Proper application of the laser heat input induced molten metal to spread to the laser heated area, increasing the fillet weld leg length. This produced a larger weld toe angle that decreased the stress concentration and increased the fatigue life of the welds relative to standard mean values.     

Peak temperatures and microstructures in aluminium and magnesium alloy friction stir spot welds

Abstract

The peak temperatures during friction stir spot welding of similar and dissimilar aluminium and magnesium alloys are investigated. The peak temperatures attained during friction stir spot welding of Al 6111, Al 2024, and AZ91 are within 6% of their solidus temperatures. In dissimilar AZ91/Al 6111 spot welds the peak temperature corresponds with the α-Mg solid solution and Mg₁₇Al₁₂ eutectic temperature of 437°C. An a-Mg plus Mg₁₇Al₁₂ eutectic microstructure is produced in dissimilar friction stir spot welds when material displaced during pin penetration into the lower sheet material contacts the upper sheet material at the eutectic temperature.     

Weldability of 1.6 mm thick aluminium alloy 5182 sheet by single and dual beam Nd: YAG laser welding

Abstract

The weldability of 1.6 mm thick 5182 Al–Mg alloy sheet by the single- and dual-beam Nd:YAG laser welding processes has been examined. Bead-on-plate welds were made using total laser powers from 2.5 to 6 kW, dual-beam lead/lag laser beam power ratios ranging from 3:2 to 2:3 and travel speeds from 4 to 15 m min^-1. The effects of focal position and shielding gas conditions on weld quality were also investigated. Whereas full penetration laser welds could be made using the 3 kW single-beam laser welder at speeds up to 15 m min^-1, the underbead surface was always very rough with undercutting and numerous projections or spikes of solidified ejected metal. This 'spikey' underbead surface geometry was attributed to the effects of the high vapour pressure Mg in the alloy on the keyhole dynamics. The undesirable 'spikey' underbead geometry was unaffected by changes in focal position, shielding gas parameters or other single-beam welding process parameters. Most full penetration dual-beam laser welds exhibited either blow-through porosity at low welding speeds (4–6 m min^-1) or unacceptable 'spikey' underbead surface quality at increased welding speeds up to 13.5 m min^-1. Radiography revealed significant occluded porosity within borderline or partial penetration welds. This was thought to be caused by significant keyhole instability that exists under these welding conditions. A limited range of dual-beam laser process conditions was found that produced sound, pore-free laser welds with good top and underbead surface quality. Acceptable welds were produced at welding speeds of 6 to 7.5 m min^-1 using total laser powers of 4.5–5 kW, but only when the lead laser beam power was greater than or equal to the lagging beam power. The improved underbead quality was attributed to the effect of the second lagging laser beam on keyhole stability, venting of the high vapour pressure Mg from the keyhole and solidification of the underbead weld metal during full penetration dual-beam laser welding.     

Certification of welders for gas equipment

Summary

The authors have given serious consideration to key problems facing quality evaluation of gas pressure welds and have developed a non‐destructive method for 100% quality inspection of gas pressure welds just after welding has been performed. The method is based on bulge removal by hot shearing. The present paper describes the results obtained during quality evaluation of gas pressure welds based on this method. The results obtained may be summarised as follows:

1. The quality (joint interfacial strength and properties) of steel gas pressure welds is controlled by the area expansion factor of the gas pressure welds and gas pressure welding temperature. Within the range avoiding any melting of the surfaces being welded, the quality improves with increasing values of both factors.

2. The quality of gas pressure welds can be evaluated by whether or not flat fracture occurs on the fracture surface under mechanical test and its proportion.

3. The effects of the area expansion factor and gas pressure welding temperature on improvement of the quality of gas pressure welds vary depending on the carbon content of the base metal, their effects being more pronounced with a greater carbon content. This is due to reduction of the interfacial oxides by the carbon contained in the base metal.