Mechanical properties of laser-pressure-welded joint between dissimilar galvannealed steel and pure aluminium

Dissimilar metal joints of Zn-coated Galvannealed steel (GA steel) and commercially available pure aluminium (A1050) sheets were produced by changing the laser power and the roller pressure by the laser pressure welding method. By this method, the YAG laser beam was irradiated into a flare groove made by these dissimilar metal sheets. In addition, the laser beam was scanned at various frequencies and patterns through the fθ lens using two-dimensional scanning mirrors. Then the sheets were pressed by the pressure rolls to be joined.

The compound layers in the weld interface were observed by an optical microscope and the layer thicknesses were measured. The thicknesses ranged from 7 to 20 μm. The mechanical properties of the welded joints were evaluated by the tensile-shear test and peel test. In the tensile-shear test, the strengths of the joints produced under the most welding conditions were so high that the fracture occurred through the base aluminium sheet. In the peel test of the specimens subjected to a laser beam of 1200–1400 W power under roller pressure of 2.94 kN, the specimen fracture took place in the base aluminium sheet. Even if the compound layer was thick, high joint strength was obtained. On the other hand, the specimen fractured in the weld interface at a laser power of 1500 W. The results of X-ray diffraction on the peel test specimen surface identified that the intermetallic compound on the GA steel side was Fe₂Al₅Zn_0.4. Moreover, the aluminium parts adhering to the GA steel side were confirmed. These results suggest that the fracture in the peel test occurred between the compound layer and A1050 and partly in the base aluminium. A micro-Vickers hardness test was performed to examine the hardness distribution in the compound layer. The hardness values near A1050 and GA steel were about 100 and 470 Hv, respectively, which suggests that the compound layer should not necessarily consist of brittle intermetallic compounds. It is therefore concluded that laser pressure welding could produce high strength joints of GA steel and A1050 dissimilar materials.     

Laser pressure welding of aluminium and galvannealed steel

Dissimilar metal joints of galvannealed steel and commercially available pure aluminium (A1050) sheets were produced by changing the laser power and the roller pressure by the laser pressure welding method. In this method, the YAG laser beam was irradiated into a flare groove made by these dissimilar metal sheets. In addition, the laser beam was scanned at various frequencies and patterns through the fθ lens using two-dimensional scanning mirrors. Then the sheets were pressed by the pressure rolls to be joined. The compound layers in the weld interface were observed by optical microscope, and the layer thicknesses were measured. The thicknesses were in the range of 7–20 μm. The mechanical properties of welded joints were evaluated by the tensile shear test and the peel test. In the tensile shear test, the strengths of the joints produced under the most welding conditions were so high that the fracture occurred through the base aluminium sheet. In the peel test of the specimens subjected to the laser beam of 1200–1400 W power under the roller pressure of 2.94 kN, the specimen fracture took place in the base aluminium sheet. Even if the compound layer was thick, high joint strength was obtained. In order to know the reason for such high strength of joints with thick compound layers and the joining mechanism, the compound layer was observed by the HR-TEM. The TEM observation results revealed that the main phase in the compound layer was the solid solution of Al + Zn. Moreover, the intermetallic compound was identified as FeAl, Fe₂Al₅, Fe₄Al₁₃, and Fe₂Al₅Zn_0.4 phase by electron diffraction. The Fe₃Zn₁₀ (Γ phase) of Fe–Zn intermetallic compound was confirmed on a Fe base material. It is assumed that the joining areas were heated in a range of 782°C more than 665°C, a melting point of Al, by laser irradiation because the δ_lk phase aspect was not confirmed. Because the surfaces of A1050 and Zn plated layer were melted thinly, the layer was over 10 μm thicker. The reason for the production of high strength joints with the relatively thick intermetallic compound layer was attributed to the formation of (Al + Zn) phase with finely dispersed intermetallic compounds.     

Effect of the surface roughness of friction stir welded joints on the fatigue characteristics of welded joints in V-1461 and V-1469 aluminium–lithium alloys

Investigations were carried out into the effect of friction stir welding conditions of V-1461 and V-1469 aluminium–lithium alloys on surface roughness and mechanical properties of welded joints. The general parameter of the welding conditions was the heat input coefficient determined by the ratio of the speed of rotation of the tool to the welding speed. The optimum range of friction stir welding conditions of sheets of the investigated alloys was determined. In this stage, the surface finish of the welded joint after welding is much better (required for increasing the fatigue characteristics and high-quality deposition of protective coatings), there are no defects and the strength of the welded joint is equal to 0.75–0.85 of the strength of the parent material. The production of the welded joints with reduced surface roughness (R_z ≤ 40 μm) greatly increases the fatigue characteristics of the welded joints (low-cycle fatigue strength equals more than 300,000 cycles without fracture).     

搅拌针长度对搅拌摩擦搭接焊铝合金/钢异种材料接头组织性能的影响

通过搅拌摩擦搭接焊接6061铝合金/QP980钢异种材料,讨论了搅拌针长度（1.5和2.1 mm）对焊接接头组织和性能的影响。结果表明,6061铝合金/QP980钢搅拌摩擦搭接焊接头分为3层结构：上层为铝合金层,中间层为Fe、Al及金属间化合物混合层状结构,下层为钢层。其中,当搅拌针长2.1 mm时,铝合金层含有散落的钢碎片。在中间层检测到2种金属间化合物,靠近Al的深灰色层为Fe₄Al₁₃相,靠近钢的是Fe₂Al₅相。随着搅拌针长度的增加,接头的失效载荷从4 kN降低到3 kN。短探针焊接的接头在接合界面处断裂,而长探针焊接的接头在铝和钢的混合区断裂。孔洞缺陷和钢碎片是导致断裂位置发生变化的主要原因。此外,嵌入铝基体中的铁屑在变形过程中起应力集中和裂纹萌生的作用,降低了接头的力学性能。     

Preparation of bimetallic nano-composite by dissimilar friction stir welding of copper to aluminum alloy

Butt friction stir welding between pure copper and AA5754 alloy was carried out. Reinforcing SiC nano- particles were utilized in friction stir welded (FSW) joints to decline the harmful effects of intermetallic compounds. Tensile tests, micro-hardness experiments, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis were applied to studying the properties of welded joints. The joints with a travel speed of 50 mm/min and a rotation speed of 1000 r/min showed the best results. The presence of nano-sized SiC particles reduced the grain size of aluminum and copper in the stir zone (SZ) from 38.3 and 12.4 μm to 12.9 and 5.1 μm, respectively. The tensile strength of the joint in the presence of reinforcing SiC nano-particles was ~240 MPa, which is ～90% of that for the aluminum base. Furthermore, the highest microhardness of the weld zone was significantly increased from HV 160 to HV 320 upon the addition of SiC nano-particles. The results also showed that raising the heat generation in FSW joints increased the amount of Al₄Cu₉ and Al₂Cu intermetallic compounds.     

搅拌摩擦焊和熔化极气体保护焊6082铝合金疲劳性能分析

对10 mm厚6082-T6铝合金进行搅拌摩擦焊(FSW)和熔化极气体保护焊(MIG焊)焊接,利用疲劳性能试验机、光学显微镜、扫描电子显微镜等手段对6082铝合金FSW和MIG焊接头的疲劳力学性能、微观组织、裂纹扩展特征、疲劳断口进行了分析. 结果表明,在疲劳寿命为2×106周次时,6082铝合金母材及其FSW和MIG焊接头的名义应力分别为126.3,110.2,84.2 MPa;在高应力水平下(Δσ=160 MPa),FSW接头疲劳寿命明显大于MIG焊接头、与母材的疲劳寿命相当. MIG焊疲劳断口均位于焊趾处,焊缝内的气孔缺陷为其主要裂纹源;FSW疲劳断口大多发生在轴肩边缘. 接头的微观断口具有准解理特征,断口中存在疲劳条纹和韧窝.     

铜对钢/铝激光-MIG复合焊接头组织及性能的影响

采用激光-MIG复合焊方法研究了铜对SYG960E超高强度度钢/6061铝合金焊接接头微观组织及力学性能的影响.结果表明,与MIG焊相比,激光-MIG复合焊有利于改善焊缝成形及焊接质量.钢/铝界面层具有双层结构,靠近铝焊缝侧为针状的FeAl₃金属间化合物,而靠近钢母材侧为条状的Fe₂Al₅金属间化合物.铜对钢/铝界面层及接头的力学性能具有显著的影响.添加铜后可以有效地减小界面层厚度和裂纹敏感性,降低钢/铝接头的最高硬度,明显提高接头的抗拉强度,接头强度可以提高110%,这主要与铜抑制界面层生长和改善界面层中Fe-Al金属化合物的脆硬性有关.     

Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of TIG and FSW Joints of a New Al-Mg-Mn-Sc-Zr Alloy

A new Al-5.8%Mg-0.4%Mn-0.25%Sc-0.10%Zr (wt.%) alloy was successfully welded by tungsten inert gas (TIG) and friction stir welding (FSW) techniques, respectively. The mechanical properties and microstructure of the welded joints were investigated by microhardness measurements, tensile tests, and microscopy methods. The results show that the ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation to failure are 358, 234 MPa, and 27.6% for TIG welded joint, and 376, 245 MPa and 31.9% for FSW joint, respectively, showing high strength and superior ductility. The TIG welded joint fails in the heat-affected zone and the fracture of FSW joint is located in stirred zone. Al-Mg-Mn-Sc-Zr alloy is characterized by lots of dislocation tangles and secondary coherent Al₃(Sc,Zr) particles. The superior mechanical properties of the TIG and FSW joints are mainly derived from the Orowan strengthening and grain boundary strengthening caused by secondary coherent Al₃(Sc,Zr) nano-particles (20-40 nm). For new Al-Mg-Mn-Sc-Zr alloy, the positive effect from secondary Al₃(Sc, Zr) particles in the base metal can be better preserved in FSW joint than in TIG welded joint.     

Effect of welding speed on microstructural and mechanical properties of laser lap weld joints in dissimilar Al and Cu sheets

Conventional fusion welding of aluminium and copper dissimilar materials is difficult because of poor weldability arising from the formation of brittle intermetallic compounds on the weld zone as well as different chemical, mechanical and thermal properties of welded joints. Joining of Al and Cu plates or sheets offers a metallurgical challenge due to unavoidable formation of brittle intermetallic compounds. Therefore, it is necessary to effectively suppress the formation and growth of Al–Cu intermetallic compounds. For welding of dissimilar Al and Cu sheets, no systematic work has been conducted to reduce these defects. Thus, this paper focuses on the effect of welding speed on the quality of a lap weld joint in the Al and Cu sheets with a single mode fibre laser. It was found that consequently sound strong weld joints could be produced by suppressing the formation of intermetallic compounds in the interface zone at extremely high speeds.     

Effects of resistance spot welding parameters on microstructures and mechanical properties of dissimilar material joints of galvanised high strength steel and aluminium alloy

Abstract

Intermediate frequency resistance spot welding has been adopted to join dissimilar materials of H220YD galvanised high strength steel and 6008 aluminium alloy. The effects of welding current and welding time on microstructures and mechanical properties of the welded joints were investigated. A thin intermetallic compound layer composed of Fe₂Al₅ phase and Fe₄Al₁₃ phase formed at the steel/aluminium interface. The interfacial intermetallic compound layer has higher nanohardness compared with the aluminium alloy nugget and galvanised steel. With increasing welding current (4–11?kA) and welding time (50–300?ms), the nugget diameter increased, the interfacial layer structure became coarser and the tensile shear load of the welded joints had an increased tendency. The maximum tensile shear load reached 3309?N at 9?kA for 250?ms. Crack initiated at the interfacial intermetallic compound layer of the tensile shear specimens, then propagated through the interfacial layer principally, and meantime through the aluminium alloy fusion zone near the interface partially.     

Properties and structure of friction stir welded joints in 1424 and V-1461 (Al–Li) alloys*

The effect of the friction stir welding (FSW) conditions on the structure of welded joint and mechanical properties of 1424 and V-1461 alloys is investigated. FSW is accompanied by the formation of a recrystallized fine-grain microstructure in the welded joint. It is shown that the increase of the heat input to the welded sheets does not increase the average grain size in the weld zone (the average grain size is 1.5–2.2 μm). The tensile strength of the welded joints depends on the welding conditions for both alloys. Special features of the microstructure formed in the zone of the welded joint are discussed and the effect of the microstructure on the mechanical properties of the welded joints and evolution under the effect of heat treatment after FSW are determined.     

铜合金与不锈钢搅拌摩擦焊搭接接头组织与性能

采用搅拌摩擦搭接焊对铜合金与不锈钢异种金属进行焊接,得到外观良好、无内部缺陷的搭接接头. 利用金相、扫描电镜、能谱仪、X射线衍射及硬度计等研究了铜–钢搭接焊接头显微组织,分析了接头的物相成分,测试了接头的显微硬度. 结果表明,不锈钢与铜在焊合区形成了“洋葱环”结构,此结构在焊核区的前进侧较后退侧更为均匀;在接头的前进侧、后退侧和底部有明显的热力影响区;在条状结构中形成了新的金属间化合物NiCu₄,这使焊核区不锈钢–铜界面的硬度值明显增大;接头焊核区的硬度值明显高于基体,且焊核区前进侧的硬度值较后退侧更高.     

搅拌摩擦焊AA7075-T651铝合金接头的疲劳裂纹扩展(英文)

研究12 mm厚AA7075-T651铝合金板搅拌摩擦焊接头的疲劳裂纹扩展行为。从搅拌摩擦焊接头以及母材中截取试样,对试样进行疲劳裂纹扩展实验。对搅拌摩擦焊接头以及母材的横向拉伸性能进行评估。用光学显微镜和透射电镜分析焊接接头的显微组织。用扫描电镜观察试样的断裂表面。与母材相比,焊接接头的ΔKcr降低了10×10-3 MPa·m1/2。搅拌摩擦焊AA7075-T651接头的疲劳寿命明显低于母材的,其原因可归结于焊缝区的析出相在搅拌摩擦焊接过程中的溶解。     

Analysis of process parameters effects on dissimilar friction stir welding of AA1100 and A441 AISI steel

Abstract

A prominent benefit of friction stir welding process is to join plates with dissimilar material. In this study, an attempt is made to find effects of tool offset, plunge depth, welding traverse speed and tool rotational speed on tensile strength, microhardness and material flow in dissimilar friction stir welding of AA1100 aluminium alloy and A441 AISI steel plates. Here, one factor at a time experimental design was utilised for conducting the experiments. Results indicated the strongest joint obtained at 1·3?mm tool offset and 0·2?mm plunge depth when the tool rotational speed and linear speed were 800?rev min^??1 and 63?mm min^??1 respectively. The maximum tensile strength of welded joints with mentioned optimal parameters was 90% aluminium base metal. Fracture locations in tensile test at all samples were in aluminium sides. Owing to the formation of intermetallic compounds at high tool rotational speed, the microhardness of joint interface goes beyond that of A441 AISI steel.     

HR-TEM observation of laser pressure weld of galvannealed steel and pure aluminium

Laser pressure welding was conducted by changing the laser power and the roller pressure in the previous experiment. It was revealed that dissimilar metal welding of galvannealed steel and pure aluminium was feasible in a wide range of welding conditions. When the roller pressure was more than 1.96 kN at the laser powers equal to or less than 1400 W, the joint strengths were so high that the specimens in the tensile shear and the peel tests fractured in the A1050 parent metal.

In order to know the reason for such high strengths of joints with thick compound layers and the joining mechanism, the compound layer was observed by HR-transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The TEM observation results revealed that the main phase in the compound layer was the solid solution of Al + Zn. Moreover, the intermetallic compound was identified as FeAl, Fe₂Al₅, Fe₄Al₁₃ and Fe₂Al₅Zn_0.4 phase by electron diffraction. The Fe₃Zn₁₀ (Γ phase) of Fe–Zn intermetallic compound was confirmed on a Fe base material. It is guessed that the joining areas were heated at a range of 782°C more than 665°C, a melting point of Al, by laser irradiation because the δ_lk phase aspect was not confirmed. Because the surfaces of A1050 and Zn plated layer were melted thinly, the layer was over 10 μm thicker. The reason for the production of high-strength joints with a relatively thick intermetallic compound layer was attributed to the formation of (Al + Zn) phase with finely dispersed intermetallic compounds.     

Computer-aided experiment on arc welding

Fatigue properties of cast aluminium welded joints by friction stir welding (FSW) and MIG welding were investigated, comparing with that of the base plate. Fatigue crack propagation tests for the da/dN ? ΔK relation and bending fatigue tests for the S–N relation were carried out. Fatigue cracks in both FSW and MIG specimens were accelerated, when the fatigue crack tip reached the stir zone or the weld metal. This behaviour was discussed based on the crack closure induced by the crack surface roughness and the residual stress. In the S–N properties, the influence of specimen surface finishing on fatigue life was also examined. Fatigue lives of the FSW and MIG specimens in the ‘as weld’ condition were in the range of the largely scattered base plate fatigue lives, in spite of the different fatigue crack initiation sites in each specimen such as the porosity in the base plate, the tool mark bottom in the FSW and the weld toe in the MIG. The FSW specimens with the polished surface showed the particular improvement in fatigue strength for finite fatigue life.     

Effect of lattice matching degree and intermetallic compound on the properties of Mg/Al dissimilar material welded joints

The welding of Mg/Al dissimilar materials with different filler metal was investigated, and the quantities and kinds of intermetallic compounds were discussed. In addition, the matching degrees between base metal and intermetallic compounds were defined and calculated, and the effect of different quantities of each intermetallic compound on the property of welded seam was investigated. The results indicated that the welded seam was composed of Al₃Mg₂ and Al₁₂Mg₁₇ by Mg/Al directly gas tungsten arc butt welding, and only one intermetallic compound of MgZn₂ formed in the welding seam using Zn and Zn–xAl filler metal. The tensile strengths of the joints increased with the increase of the matching degrees between the intermetallic compounds and the base metal when the welded seam contained different intermetallic compound. Meanwhile, the tensile strengths of the joints are decreased with the increase of intermetallic compound content when the welded seams contained the seam intermetallic compound.     

Effect of Intermetallic Compound Phases on the Mechanical Properties of the Dissimilar Al/Cu Friction Stir Welded Joints

Types and distribution of intermetallic compound phases and their effects on the mechanical properties of dissimilar Al/Cu friction stir welded joints were investigated. Three different rotation speeds of 1000, 1200 and 1400 rpm were used with two welding speeds of 20 and 50 mm/min. The results show that the microstructures inside the stir zone were greatly affected by the rotation speed. Complex layered structures that containing intermetallic compound phases such as CuAl₂, Al₄Cu₉ were formed in the stir zone. Their amount found to be increased with increasing rotation speed. However, the increasing of the rotation speed slightly lowered the hardness of the stir zone. Many sharp hardness peaks in the stir zones were found as a result of the intermetallic compounds formed, and the highest peaks of 420 Hv were observed at a rotation speed of 1400 rpm. The joints ultimate tensile strength reached a maximum value of 105 MPa at the rotation speed of 1200 rpm and travel speed of 20 mm/min with the joint efficiency ranged between 88 and 96% of the aluminum base metal. At the travel speed of 50 mm/min, the maximum value of the ultimate tensile strength was 96 MPa at rotation speed of 1400 rpm with the joint efficiency ranged between 79 and 90%. The fracture surfaces of tensile test specimens showed no evidence for the effect of the brittle intermetallic compounds in the stir zones on the tensile strength of the joints.     

Corrosion Behavior of MIG Brazed and MIG Welded Joints of Automotive DP600-GI Steel Sheet

Galvanized dual-phase steel sheets are extensively used by the auto industry for their corrosion resistance property. Welding by the metal inert gas (MIG) process causes degradation of the steel in the vicinity of the joint due to excessive zinc evaporation. In order to minimize Zn loss, the MIG brazing process has been tried out in lap joint configuration over a heat input range of 136–204 J mm^?1. The amount of zinc loss, intermetallic formation and corrosion properties in the joint area has been evaluated for both MIG brazing and MIG welding. Corrosion rate of 21 mm year^?1 has been reduced to 2 mm year^?1 by adopting MIGB in place MIGW. Impedance study has shown that the corrosion mechanism in base metal, MIG brazed and MIG welded joints is dominated by charge transfer, diffusion and mixed mode control processes, respectively.     

High strength lap joint of aluminium and stainless steels fabricated by friction stir welding with cutting pin

Abstract

Dissimilar lap joints of aluminium and stainless steel were first friction stir welded by the tool with a cutting pin. The results showed that sound joints could be obtained by this method. When the pin was inserted into the lower steel sheet, macrointerlocks were formed by the steel flashes plugging into the upper aluminium at both sides of the nugget bottom. At the aluminium/steel interface, a thin intermetallic compound (IMC) layer and the mechanical bonding of microinterlocks were formed. In addition, the aluminium near the interface was also strengthened by grain refinement and IMC particles. Therefore, the beneficial effect of the macrointerlocks provided by the steel flashes was removed, the shear strength of the joint reached 89·7 MPa, which was even higher than that of the base metal of aluminium.