Modeling of failure near spot welds in lap-shear specimens based on a plane stress rigid inclusion analysis

In this paper, the failure mechanism of resistance spot welds in dual-phase steel lap-shear specimens is investigated based on experimental observations, two-dimensional elasticity theories and two-dimensional finite element analyses. Optical micrographs of the cross sections of spot welds in lap-shear specimens of a dual-phase steel before and after failure are first examined to understand the failure mechanism. The experimental results suggest that under lap-shear loading conditions, a necking failure is initiated near the middle of the nugget circumference in the base metal and then the failure propagates along the nugget circumference in the sheet to final fracture. Based on the stress function approach of the elasticity theory, an analytic solution for an infinite plate containing a rigid inclusion subjected to a resultant shear force is developed and used to investigate the stress and strain distributions near the nugget in lap-shear specimens. The results of the elastic analytic solution and those of a two-dimensional elastic finite element analysis indicate that the initial yielding starts on the two side edges of the inclusion in the sheet. However, the results of a two-dimensional elastic-plastic finite element analysis indicate that as the applied displacement increases, the maximum equivalent plastic strain shifts from the two side edges of the inclusion to the middle of the inclusion along the inclusion circumference in the sheet. The computational results suggest that the location of the initial necking failure should occur near the middle of the nugget circumference in the sheet as observed in experiments based on the forming limit diagram (FLD) for ductile sheet metals.     

Stress intensity factor solutions for estimation of fatigue lives of laser welds in lap-shear specimens

Fatigue behavior of laser welds in lap-shear specimens of high strength low alloy (HSLA) steel is investigated based on experimental observations and two fatigue life estimation models. Fatigue experiments of laser welded lap-shear specimens are first reviewed. Analytical stress intensity factor solutions for laser welded lap-shear specimens based on the beam bending theory are derived and compared with the analytical solutions for two semi-infinite solids with connection. Finite element analyses of laser welded lap-shear specimens with different weld widths were also conducted to obtain the stress intensity factor solutions. Approximate closed-form stress intensity factor solutions based on the results of the finite element analyses in combination with the analytical solutions based on the beam bending theory and Westergaard stress function for a full range of the normalized weld widths are developed for future engineering applications. Next, finite element analyses for laser welded lap-shear specimens with three weld widths were conducted to obtain the local stress intensity factor solutions for kinked cracks as functions of the kink length. The computational results indicate that the kinked cracks are under dominant mode I loading conditions and the normalized local stress intensity factor solutions can be used in combination with the global stress intensity factor solutions to estimate fatigue lives of laser welds with the weld width as small as the sheet thickness. The global stress intensity factor solutions and the local stress intensity factor solutions for vanishing and finite kinked cracks are then adopted in a fatigue crack growth model to estimate the fatigue lives of the laser welds. Also, a structural stress model based on the beam bending theory is adopted to estimate the fatigue lives of the welds. The fatigue life estimations based on the kinked fatigue crack growth model agree well with the experimental results whereas the fatigue life estimations based on the structural stress model agree with the experimental results under larger load ranges but are higher than the experimental results under smaller load ranges.     

Failure mode of laser welds in lap‐shear specimens of high strength low alloy (HSLA) steel sheets

In this paper, the failure mode of laser welds in lap‐shear specimens of non‐galvanized SAE J2340 300Y high strength low alloy steel sheets under quasi‐static loading conditions is examined based on experimental observations and finite element analyses. Laser welded lap‐shear specimens with reduced cross sections were made. Optical micrographs of the cross sections of the welds in the specimens before and after tests are examined to understand the microstructure and failure mode of the welds. Micro‐hardness tests were also conducted to provide an assessment of the mechanical properties in the base metal, heat‐affected and fusion zones. The micrographs indicate that the weld failure appears to be initiated from the base metal near the boundary of the base metal and the heat‐affected zone at a distance away from the pre‐existing crack tip, and the specimens fail due to the necking/shear of the lower left load carrying sheets. Finite element analyses based on non‐homogenous multi‐zone material models were conducted to model the ductile necking/shear failure and to obtain the J integral solutions for the pre‐existing cracks. The results of the finite element analyses are used to explain the ductile failure initiation sites and the necking/shear of the lower left load carrying sheets. The J integral solutions obtained from the finite element analyses based on the 3‐zone finite element model indicate that the J integral for the pre‐existing cracks at the failure loads are low compared to the fracture toughness and the specimens should fail in a plastic collapse or necking/shear mode. The effects of the sheet thickness on the failure mode were then investigated for laser welds with a fixed ratio of the weld width to the thickness. For the given non‐homogenous material model, the J integral solutions appear to be scaled by the sheet thickness. With consideration of the plastic collapse failure mode and fracture initiation failure mode, a critical thickness can be obtained for the transition of the plastic collapse or necking/shear failure mode to the fracture initiation failure mode. Finally, the failure load is expressed as a function of the sheet thickness according to the governing equations based on the two failure modes. The results demonstrate that the failure mode of welds of thin sheets depends on the sheet thickness, ductility of the base metal and fracture toughness of the heat‐affected zone. Therefore, failure criteria based on either the plastic collapse failure mode or the fracture initiation failure mode should be used cautiously for welds of thin sheets.     

Failure mode and fatigue behavior of weld-bonded lap-shear specimens of magnesium and steel sheets

Failure modes and fatigue behaviors of ultrasonic spot welds in lap-shear specimens of magnesium AZ31B-H24 and hot-dipped-galvanized mild steel sheets with and without adhesive were investigated. The spot welded specimens failed from the kinked crack growth mode. The adhesive-bonded specimens failed from the cohesive failure through the adhesive and the kinked crack growth through the magnesium sheet. The weld-bonded specimens failed from the cohesive failure through the adhesive, the interfacial failure through the spot weld, and the kinked crack growth through the magnesium sheet. The estimated fatigue lives for the adhesive-bonded and weld-bonded specimens failed from the kinked crack growth mode are lower than the experimental results.     

Analytical stress intensity factor solutions for resistance and friction stir spot welds in lap-shear specimens of different materials and thicknesses

In this paper, analytical stress intensity factor and J integral solutions for resistance and friction stir spot welds without and with gap and bend in lap-shear specimens of different materials and thicknesses are developed. The J integral and stress intensity factor solutions for spot welds are first presented in terms of the structural stresses for a strip model. Analytical structural stress solutions for spot welds without and with gap and bend in lap-shear specimens are then developed based on the closed-form structural stress solutions for a rigid inclusion in a finite thin plate subjected to various loading conditions. With the available structural stress solutions, the analytical J integral and stress intensity factor solutions can be obtained as functions of the applied load, the elastic material property parameters, and the geometric parameters of the weld and specimen. The analytical stress intensity factor solutions are selectively validated by the results of three-dimensional finite element analyses for a spot weld with ideal geometry and for a friction stir spot weld with complex geometry, gap and bend. The stress intensity factor and J integral solutions at the critical locations of spot welds in lap-shear specimens of dissimilar magnesium, aluminum and steel sheets with equal and different thicknesses are then presented in the normalized forms as functions of the ratio of the specimen width to the weld diameter. Finally, general trends and simple estimation methods of the stress intensity factor and J integral solutions at the critical locations of spot welds in lap-shear specimens of different materials and thicknesses are given for convenient engineering applications.     

Closed-form structural stress and stress intensity factor solutions for spot welds in commonly used specimens

Closed-form new structural stress and stress intensity factor solutions for spot welds in lap-shear, square-cup, U-shape, cross-tension and coach-peel specimens are obtained based on elasticity theories and fracture mechanics. The loading conditions for spot welds in the central parts of the five types of specimens are first examined. The resultant loads on the weld nugget and the self-balanced resultant loads on the lateral surface of the central parts of the specimens are then decomposed into various types of symmetric and anti-symmetric parts. Closed-form structural stress and stress intensity factor solutions for spot welds under various types of loading conditions are then adopted from the recent work of Lin and Pan to derive new closed-form structural stress and stress intensity factor solutions for spot welds in the five types of specimens. The selection of a geometric factor for square-cup specimens and the decompositions of the loads on the central parts of the U-shape, cross-tension and coach-peel specimens are based on the corresponding three-dimensional finite element analyses of these specimens. The new closed-form solutions are expressed as functions of the spot weld diameter, the sheet thickness, the width and the length of the five types of specimens. The closed-form solutions are also expressed as functions of the angular location along the nugget circumference of spot welds in the five types of specimens in contrast to the limited available solutions at the critical locations in the literature. The new closed-form solutions at the critical locations of spot welds in the five types of specimens are listed or can be easily obtained from the general closed-form solutions for fatigue life predictions.     

Effects of weld geometry and sheet thickness on stress intensity factor solutions for spot and spot friction welds in lap-shear specimens of similar and dissimilar materials

In this paper, three-dimensional finite element analyses for spot welds with ideal geometry in lap-shear specimens of different materials and thicknesses were first conducted. The computational results indicate that the stress intensity factor and J integral solutions based on the finite element analyses agree well with the analytical solutions and that the analytical solutions can be used with a reasonable accuracy. Three-dimensional finite element analyses based on the micrographs of an aluminum 6111 resistance spot weld, an aluminum 5754 spot friction weld, and a dissimilar Al/Fe spot friction weld were also conducted. The computational results indicate that the stress intensity factor and J integral solutions based on the finite element analyses for the aluminum 6111 resistance spot weld and aluminum 5754 spot friction weld with complex geometry are in good agreement with the analytical solutions for the equivalent spot welds with ideal geometry. However, the stress intensity factor and J integral solutions based on the finite element analysis for the Al/Fe spot friction weld with complex geometry are completely different from the analytical solutions for the equivalent spot weld with ideal geometry. Different three-dimensional finite element analyses based on the meshes that represent different features of the complex geometry of the Al/Fe spot friction weld were then conducted. The computational results indicate that the stress intensity factor and J integral solutions for the Al/Fe spot friction weld based on the finite element analysis agree reasonably well with the analytical solutions for the equivalent spot weld with consideration of gap and bend. The computational and analytical results suggest that the stress intensity factor and J integral solutions based on the finite element analysis and the analytical solutions with consideration of gap and bend may be used to correlate with the fatigue crack growth patterns of Al/Fe spot friction welds observed in experiments.     

Mechanism of effects of warm prestressing(WPS) on apparent toughness of notched steel specimens: Part I: Experimental

In this investigation, a series of experiments are carried out in blunt notched specimens to explore the various factors controlling the warm prestressing (WPS) effect on apparent toughness of a HSLA steel. A great number of specimens were tested using Cool-Fracture (CF) without WPS, Load-Cool-Fracture (LCF) and Load-Unload-Cool-Fracture (LUCF) cycles. More complex cycles have also been used to produce residual stress distributions and notch deformations different in quantities and signs. All fracture surfaces of the specimens were observed. Some specimens were unloaded after WPS and details of microscopic features in front of notch roots were investigated. Experimental results show that warm prestress cycles raising the residual compressive stress and opening the notch root improve notch toughness at low temperatures. Oppositely, WPS cycles raising the residual tensile stress and closing the notch root deteriorate notch toughness. One distinct effect of WPS involves deactivating inclusions and second phases particles. With increasing the preload of WPS, more and more particles being potential cleavage nuclei are decohered and blunted to cavities. This effect is proposed to be involved in improvement of notch toughness.     

Mechanism of effects of warm prestressing (WPS) on apparent toughness of notched steel specimens Part II: Calculations and analyses

Based on the experimental results of Part I of present work, this paper describes results of FEM calculations and analyses in details which identified that the effect of tensile-warm pre-stressing (WPS) on improvement of the apparent toughness of notched specimens results from three factors i.e. the residual compressive stress, macroscopic blunting of the original notch, and prestrain-deactivating cleavage initiation. The effects of three factors are separated and is effective for each at various extents of prestressing specified with a prestress-ratio, P₀/P_gy, defining the prestressing load P₀ as a fraction of general yield load P_gy. For values of prestress-ratio lower than 1.0, the residual compressive stress acts as the main factor. Between 1.0 to 1.5 of prestress-ratio values, in addition to the residual compressive stress the macroscopic blunting plays increasing role. The effect of the prestrain-deactivating cleavage initiation presents at the prestress-ratio P₀/P_gy1.2. In the case of compressive-warm prestressing, the apparent toughness is deteriorated due to the residual tensile stress. The effects of complex cycles of WPS, with various steps of loading and unloading different in signs, are determined mainly by the loading step just before the fracturing step.     

Fracture toughness of laser welds in ship steel

Shipbuilders are showing increasing interest in laser welding as a means of reducing fabrication costs. The nature of the weld zone is very different to that in an arc weld. Careful research is needed to establish the safety of laser welded structures against a range of risk scenarios. This report deals with fracture toughness and defect tolerance. The laser weld is shown to exhibit very unusual behaviour. The lowest toughness is obtained when a crack is located at the heat affected zone (HAZ), but there is no apparent microstructural embrittlement at this location. It is proposed that the effect arises from an elevation of crack tip tensile stresses induced by the strength overmatch of the adjacent weld zone.     

Microstructural transformations of heat affected zones in duplex steel welded joints

The influence of the welding thermal conditions exemplified by heat input and heat treatment after welding on the structure of the heat affected zone (HAZ) UNS S31803 has been analysed. The post weld treatment was used to create the precisely defined thermal conditions for the decomposition of primary phases in the HAZ, by a multi-layer welding thermal cycle stimulation. Detailed analyses of the microstructure and chemical composition of the phases in the different post welded conditions were performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Three types of secondary precipitates have been observed: secondary austenite (γ₂), carbides: M₂₃C₆ and M₇C₃. The dependence of the secondary austenite volume fraction and morphology in the HAZ on thermal cycle have been interpreted. The eutectoid decomposition of the primary phases in the analysed thermal conditions was confirmed.     

Microstructure and failure behavior of dissimilar resistance spot welds between low carbon galvanized and austenitic stainless steels

Resistance spot welding was used to join austenitic stainless steel and galvanized low carbon steel. The relationship between failure mode and weld fusion zone characteristics (size and microstructure) was studied. It was found that spot weld strength in the pullout failure mode is controlled by the strength and fusion zone size of the galvanized steel side. The hardness of the fusion zone which is governed by the dilution between two base metals, and fusion zone size of galvanized carbon steel side are dominant factors in determining the failure mode.     

1 200 MPa级HSLA钢的SH-CCT曲线及其热影响区组织与性能

为在工程应用中对焊接工艺的合理选取与制定提供理论和试验依据,采用焊接热模拟技术研究了800~500℃冷却时间(t8/5)对1 200 MPa级低合金高强钢焊接热影响区粗晶区(CGHAZ)显微组织和性能的影响.结果表明:t8/5为6~20 s时,该钢热影响区的粗晶区组织为板条马氏体,硬度为477~456 HV5;随着冷却时间的延长,组织中开始出现板条贝氏体,在t8/5为60 s时硬度下降到380 HV5;当t8/5为60~600 s时,粗晶区组织为板条贝氏体和粒状贝氏体,硬度为380~300 HV5;t8/5600 s时粗晶区组织主要为粒状贝氏体,硬度为300~315 HV5.试验钢碳当量为0.626%,冷裂纹敏感系数为0.335%,说明其淬硬倾向较大,焊接热影响区容易产生裂纹.     

Modeling of cutting speed (CS) for HSLA steel in wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) using moly wire

The high capital costs of wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) equipment necessitate optimal utilization of the WEDM process and equipment. Cutting speed (CS) is a key performance measure to achieve this objective. However, process parameters of WEDM greatly hamper CS and hence productivity and machining efficiency. It is therefore essential to pick the right combination of parameters to attain better CSs. In this paper, five process parameters which include pulse on-time, pulse off-time, pulse frequency, power, and wire speed were used to develop an empirical relationship between process parameters and CS. A regression model based on experimental data was developed and validated through confirmation tests. Experiments have been conducted on high-strength low-alloy steel using molybdenum wire. Analysis of variance was applied to segregate significant process parameters and it was revealed that pulse off-time, power, and pulse frequency were the major parameters affecting CS. Contour plots have been established to select the best process parameters in addition to the developed model. Stability of moly wire was also explored using scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis. Results showed that moly wire retains its original surface quality and dimensions which contributes to dimensional accuracy of parts.     

Effect of weld orientation on static strength and failure mode of friction stir stitch welds in lap‐shear specimens of aluminium 6022‐T4 sheets

Stitch friction stir spot welding (FSSW) is performed on 6022‐T4 Al alloy using a concave shoulder tool with cylindrical pin. Stitch FSSW is an extension of the conventional spot FSW process where an elongated (oval) spot is produced instead of a circular spot. The main advantage of this process is that it gives appreciably higher strength than conventional spot FSW due to an increase in the joint area. In this research, an experimental and numerical approach is taken to understand the failure mechanism of stitch welds made in lap‐shear configuration. There are four ways (orientations) in which specimens can be welded to produce a lap‐shear specimen – two in transverse direction and two in longitudinal direction. The static strength of welds made with these orientations was found to be different. For stitch welds made in the longitudinal orientation, the failure always occurred near the keyhole at the tool retract position. For welds made in the transverse orientation, failure always occurred in the region of the highest stress. This difference in the weld strength can be attributed to the hook geometry and interface bond strength. The results are explained using a kinked cracked model approach and calculation of stress intensity factor at the hook geometry.     

Hybrid laser/arc welding of advanced high strength steel in different butt joint configurations

An experimental procedure was developed to join thick advanced high strength steel plates by using the hybrid laser/arc welding (HLAW) process, for different butt joint configurations. The geometry of the weld groove was optimized according to the requirements of ballistic test, where the length of the softened heat affected zone should be less than 15.9 mm from the weld centerline. The cross-section of the welds was examined by microhardness test. The microstructure of welds was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and an optical microscope for further analysis of the microstructure of fusion zone and heat affected zone. It was demonstrated that by changing the geometry of groove, and increasing the stand-off distance between the laser beam and the tip of wire in gas metal arc welding (GMAW) it is possible to reduce the width of the heat affected zone and softened area while the microhardness stays within the acceptable range. It was shown that double Y-groove shape can provide the optimum condition for the stability of arc and laser. The dimensional changes of the groove geometry provided substantial impact on the amount of heat input, causing the fluctuations in the hardness of the weld as a result of phase transformation and grain size. The on-line monitoring of HLAW of the advanced high strength steel indicated the arc and laser were stable during the welding process. It was shown that less plasma plume was formed in the case where the laser was leading the arc in the HLAW, causing higher stability of the molten pool in comparison to the case where the arc was leading.     

A statistical model for cleavage fracture in notched specimens of C–Mn steel

A statistical model for cleavage fracture in notched specimens of C-Mn steel has been proposed. This model is based on a recently suggested physical model. This statistical model satisfactorily describes the distributions of the cumulative failure probability and failure probability density of 36 notched specimens fractured at various loads at test temperature of −196 °C. The minimum notch toughness has also been discussed.     

X90钢级管线钢预精焊接头的性能研究

为综合研究X90管线钢的焊接性,选用国内某钢厂轧制的X90管线钢卷板,利用预精焊工艺制备试验钢管4根,采用金相分析、扫描电镜(SEM)断口分析、夏比V型缺口冲击试验、拉伸、弯曲、硬度等试验,研究了焊接接头各个区域的组织和性能.试验结果表明:内外焊缝区组织均为针状铁素体,热影响区(HAZ)粗晶区晶粒粗化严重,主要组织为粒状贝氏体和贝氏体铁素体,在原奥氏体晶界和贝氏体板条内部存在块状或条状的(马氏体-奥氏体)M-A组元;HAZ冲击功离散性较大,出现了单值较低(45 J)的试样,SEM断口分析呈现典型的解理断裂特征;焊接接头抗拉强度805~815 MPa,断裂位置均在HAZ;焊接接头反弯试样易在HAZ出现裂纹和脆断现象;HAZ硬度在220~250 HV之间,较母材下降30 HV左右.HAZ是X90预精焊钢管焊接接头的薄弱环节,为提高X90管线钢的焊接稳定性,应重点研究精焊内外热循环双热影响亚区的组织转变和脆化机理.     

Fatigue crack growth behavior in weld-repaired high-strength low-alloy steel

Fatigue crack growth properties and Vickers micro-hardness of a weld-repaired high-strength low-alloy steel, known for high strength, low carbon, excellent notch toughness and good weldability and formability, have been studied under the following conditions: as-received high-strength low-alloy, weld-repaired high-strength low-alloy without buffer layer, and weld-repaired high-strength low-alloy with various thickness buffer layers. Those conditions are examined to determine the respective fatigue crack growth behaviors and Vickers hardness distribution, and the effects of different weld-repaired conditions on fatigue characterizations and microscopic features of the fracture and fatigue surface. The extended-compact tension specimen geometry is adopted in this study for all tests. Paris fatigue crack growth curves and the hardness distribution across weld metal, buffer layer and parent metal has been measured together with the relevant scanning electron microscope observations along the fatigue crack growth path, with special attention at and around the interfaces between the weld metal, buffer layer and parent metal. The results show the presence of the BL of a moderate thickness has a significant influence on the fatigue crack growth behavior in the heat-affected zone and around the interface between buffer layer and parent metal. The fatigue resistance of the selected high-strength low-alloy + buffer layer + weld metal tri-metal system is higher than that of the high-strength low-alloy + weld metal bi-metal system.     

Geometric functions of stress intensity factor solutions for spot welds in cross-tension specimens

Stress intensity factor solutions for spot welds in cross-tension specimens are investigated by finite element analyses. Three-dimensional finite element models are developed to obtain accurate solutions. Various ratios of sheet thickness, half specimen width and half effective specimen length to nugget radius are considered. The computational results confirm the functional dependence on the nugget radius and sheet thickness of Zhang’s analytical solutions. The results also provide three geometric functions in terms of normalized half specimen width and normalized half effective specimen length to Zhang’s analytical solutions. Based on the analytical and computational results, the dimensions of cross-tension specimens and the corresponding approximate stress intensity factor solutions are suggested.