Seal spot welding of steel and aluminium alloy by resistance spot welding: dissimilar metal joining of steel and aluminium alloy by Zn insertion

This research concerns a dissimilar metal joining of steel and aluminium (Al) alloys by means of zinc (Zn) insertion. The authors propose a joining concept for achieving strong bonded joints between Zn-coated steel and Al alloys. A eutectic reaction between Zn in the Zn coating and uniform Al–Fe intermetallic compound (IMC) layer at the joint interface, leading to a strong bonded joint. The ultimate aim of this research was to apply this joining concept in the resistance spot welding process for manufacturing vehicle bodies. As a practical issue characteristic to joints of dissimilar metals, anticorrosion measures against electrochemical corrosion must be undertaken. If there is moisture near a joint interface of dissimilar metals, electrochemical erosion will progress. Therefore, a sealing function that could prevent moisture intrusion is required. By applying the above-mentioned welding process to a set of metals with thermosetting resin spread in between, we realized seal spot welding, which not only prevented moisture intrusion but also retained high tensile strength. In this research, first, a cyclic corrosion test was performed on the seal spot-welded joint of galvanized (GI) steel, a steel grade widely distributed in Japan, and Al alloy was bonded by seal spot welding, and the following topics are discussed. Complete removal of sealant from the joint interface is the key to realizing the high tensile stress joint, because remaining sealant will lead to reduction in tensile strength. Therefore, heat generation at the interface was monitored by measuring electrical current and potential difference between the two electrodes, and a precise temperature control was performed. Moreover, the bonding process was clarified by stepwise analysis of the joint interface using optical microscopy, and a guideline for producing strong joints was proposed. And finally, a TEM observation also confirmed that the interface structure of the seal spot-welded joint was the same as joints without the resin; a thin and uniform Al–Fe IMC layer was formed and a strong metallurgical bonding was achieved.     

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.     

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.     

Dissimilar metal joining of aluminium to zinc-coated steel by ultrasonic plus resistance spot welding – microstructure and mechanical properties

Vehicle body structures are increasingly utilising multi-materials designs with advanced high strength steels (AHSS) and aluminium alloys. A robust process for joining aluminium alloys to AHSS based on resistance spot welding (RSW) is essential to widespread application of such bi-metallic structures in fuel-efficient vehicles. In this study, ultrasonic plus RSW was applied to join AA6022 to Zn-coated dual-phase steel DP980. During solid-state ultrasonic spot welding, an interface structure comprising multilayer, Al–Zn and Zn–Fe intermetallics formed due to alloying of aluminium with steel coating. Such structure was subsequently melted into the aluminium nugget, and new Al–Fe intermetallics formed during RSW. Ultrasonic plus resistance spot-welded joints had superior fracture energy than direct resistance spot-welded joints.     

Laser roll welding of dissimilar metal joint of titanium to aluminium alloy

Recently, the demand for dissimilar metal joints of titanium to aluminium alloy has arisen in industry, especially in the transportation vehicle industry. However, it is well known that fusion welding of titanium to aluminium alloy is difficult because of generating the brittle intermetallic compound at the joint interface. Therefore, new welding processes with high reliability and productivity for these dissimilar materials are demanded. In the present work, Laser roll welding of titanium to aluminium alloy using a 2 kW fibre laser was tried to investigate the effects of the process parameters on the formation of the interlayer and the mechanical properties of the joint. As a result, the cross-section of the joint shows partial melting of the aluminium sheet and spreading of molten aluminium alloy on the titanium sheet occurs during the welding thermal cycle. Various types of intermetallic compound were confirmed at the interlayer of the welded joint. The specimen with a bonding width of 2.8 mm failed in the base metal of titanium in the tensile shear test. In Erichsen cupping tests, the Erichsen value was 5.7 mm. This value was 89% of the base metal of aluminium sheet.     

Novel dissimilar spot welding of aluminium alloy and steel sheets by friction stirring

Friction stir spot welding (FSSW) has been applied to a dissimilar metal lap joint of an aluminium alloy and steel by stirring only the upper aluminium alloy sheet. Therefore, FSSW cannot be used to weld a lap joint composed of three or more sheets and a lap joint with an adhesive interlayer. In the present work, we propose a novel spot welding process for dissimilar metal lap joints using a new tool with the tip made of spherical ceramics. When this process is applied to the lap joint of the aluminium alloy and steel, the tool can be plunged into the lower steel sheet, then a steel projection is formed in the aluminium alloy sheet. The height of this steel projection increases with the plunge depth, and accordingly, the weld strength increases; the tensile shear strength and the cross tensile strength reached about 3.6 and 2.3 kN/point, respectively.     

Fluxless joining of aluminium alloy to steel by laser irradiation method

A6061 aluminium alloy was joined with steel using Zn filler metal under laser irradiation process. The quality of joint was evaluated by the strength of a lap joint. The effects of laser power irradiation conditions such as travelling speed and defocused distance on the joint strength were investigated. The maximum joint strength was obtained at relatively medium laser travelling speed. The excess reaction between filler metal and aluminium formed thick brittle intermetallic compounds between steel and aluminium alloy. The compounds are considered to lead to the reduction in joint strength. It was found that low wetting at high travelling speed and excess reaction layer formation at low travelling speed were responsible for low joint strength. The study revealed that the relatively high joint strength between aluminium alloy and steel was obtained by laser joining method using Zn filler without the use of flux in air atmosphere.     

Modelling intermetallic phase formation in dissimilar metal ultrasonic welding of aluminium and magnesium alloys

Abstract

Intermetallic compound (IMC) formation at the joint line usually has strongly detrimental effect on the performance of dissimilar metal welds. To understand the formation of IMC interlayers, and explore strategies to control their growth, a model has been developed and applied to the case of dissimilar joining of aluminium and magnesium alloys using ultrasonic welding. The model accounts for microbond formation during welding, diffusion across the joint line, as well as nucleation, spreading and thickening of the first IMC layer (Mg₁₇Al₁₂ phase) and the formation and simultaneous thickening of the second (Al₃Mg₂) layer. The model predictions match measurements reasonably well and the model has been used to predict the sensitivity of IMC layer thickness to weld temperature and time.     

冷金属过渡搭接焊镁铝异种金属接头组织及性能

采用冷金属过渡（CMT）焊接工艺,以HS201铜焊丝作为焊缝填充金属对AZ3l镁合金和6061铝合金进行搭接焊接．测试了接头的抗剪强度和显微硬度,并利用光学显微镜（OM）、扫描电镜（SEM）、能谱（EDS）对接头的组织成分及断口形貌进行了分析．结果表明,当焊接电流为109A,电弧电压10．9V,送丝速度4．9mm／s,...     

Effects of welding parameters and tool geometry on properties of 3003-H18 aluminum alloy to mild steel friction stir weld

Defect-free butt joints of 3003 Al alloy to mild steel plates with 3 mm thickness were performed using friction stir welding (FSW). A heat input model reported for similar FSW was simplified and used to investigate the effects of welding speed, rotation speed and tool shoulder diameter on the microstructure and properties of dissimilar welds. The comparison between microstructure, intermetallics and strength of welds shows the good conformity between the results and the calculated heat input factor (HIF) achieved from the model. The joint strength is controlled by Al/Fe interface at HIF of 0.2–0.4, by TMAZ at HIF of 0.4–0.8 and by intermetallics and/or defects at HIF>0.8.     

Special features of reconditioning heavily loaded components with surface defects

ABSTRACT

Double-pass process was newly performed to a friction stir welded (FSWed) A3003 aluminium alloy/SUS304 stainless steel dissimilar lap joint in order to improve the asymmetry of the FSWed joint. A sound symmetrical joint was produced by running the tool again at the bead which ?rstly produced by FSW. Tensile strength of specimens was improved by leaving the tool distance from 2 mm to 5 mm where both edges of the stirred zone were advancing side (AS-AS joint). Micro-tensile test revealed that most of the stirred zone in the AS-AS joint with the tool distance of 5 mm fractured at A3003 base metal.     

几种铝钢异种金属熔钎焊工艺的对比与分析

采用脉冲旁路耦合电弧MIG焊、CMT及激光焊方法实现铝/镀锌钢板搭接焊,对焊缝界面微观组织、形貌及元素成分进行了观察分析,并测试了其力学性能.结果表明,三种焊接方法均可以实现铝/镀锌钢板异种金属的优质连接,获得成形良好的焊缝,搭接接头的抗拉剪强度均可以达到铝合金母材的80%以上,拉伸试样断裂在焊缝铝合金母材热影响区.当母材热输入及工艺合适时,三种方法下搭接接头界面处均形成一主要成分为Fe₂Al₅和FeAl₃,平均厚度约为8 μm的金属间化合物,而且控制金属间化合物的生成是获得铝/钢焊接优质接头的关键.     

Microstructure and mechanical behaviour of cold metal transfer welded Mg/Al dissimilar joint using wire AZ31 as filler metal

Mg/Al dissimilar butt joint was produced by modified cold metal transfer process using wire AZ31 as filler metal. The energy input characteristics and the microstructure and mechanical behaviour of the joint were investigated. Microstructural analysis shows that a diffusion Mg–Al intermetallic compounds interface layer formed along the weld boundary near Al substrate. The interface layer consisted of three intermediate layers from Al substrate to weld metal: Mg₂Al₃ layer, Mg₁₇Al₁₂ layer and Mg₁₇Al₁₂?+?α-Mg solid solution eutectic layer. The tensile strength of the welded joint was 38.4?MPa, which was fairly dependent on the lowest strength of the three intermediate layers. The brittle fracture occurred primarily within the thinnest Mg₂Al₃ intermediate layer adjacent to Al substrate.     

Dissimilar spot welding of aluminium alloy and galvannealed steel by metal flow-application of friction anchor welding to aluminium alloy and Zn-coated steel

ABSTRACT

Lap joints of an upper Al alloy (1.0-mm-thick A5052) and lower hot dip galvanized steel (1.2-mm-thick GI steel) were welded by a novel spot welding process for dissimilar metal lap joints using a new tool with the tip made of spherical ceramics, i.e. ‘Friction Anchor Welding.’ As a result, the rotating tool was plunged only to 1.3–1.4 mm from the Al alloy surface, and accordingly, a steel projection was not formed in the Al alloy sheet. Further, the Al alloy near the rotating tool was removed. However, near this removed area, the Zn layer on the GI steel melted and was removed by friction heat, and consequently, the GI steel and the Al alloy were welded. Thus, the tensile shear strength reached about 2.6 kN/point.     

Role of nickel as an interlayer in dissimilar metal friction welding of maraging steel to low alloy steel

Continuous drive friction welding of dissimilar metals, maraging steel and low alloy steel was carried out. It was observed that the hardness, ductility and impact toughness of maraging steel are low due to the diffusion of elements such as carbon, manganese, silicon and phosphorus from low alloy steel to maraging steel. An attempt was made in this study to improve the properties by friction welding of maraging steel and low alloy steel with nickel as an interlayer. The hardness, tensile strength and impact toughness are observed to be improved, as nickel acted as diffusion barrier. The effect of post-weld heat treatments on microstructure and mechanical properties of dissimilar metal friction welds with and without interlayer was also studied. Maraging steel responded to solutionizing & aging and low alloy steel responded to quenching and tempering. The notch tensile strength and impact toughness in case of dissimilar metal weld with interlayer are observed to be more than that of the dissimilar metal weld without interlayer.     

Dissimilar spot welding of aluminium alloy and hot dip galvanised steel by metal flow: application of friction anchor welding to aluminium alloy and Zn-coated steel

Lap joints of an upper Al alloy (1.0 mm-thick A5052) and lower hot dip galvanized steel (1.2 mm-thick GI steel) were welded by a novel spot welding process for dissimilar metal lap joints using a new tool with the tip made of spherical ceramics, i.e. ‘Friction Anchor Welding’. As a result, the rotating tool was plunged only to 1.3–1.4 mm from the Al alloy surface, and accordingly, a steel projection was not formed in the Al alloy sheet. Further, the Al alloy near the rotating tool was removed. However, near this removed area, the Zn layer on the GI steel melted and was removed by friction heat, and consequently, the GI steel and the Al alloy were welded. Thus, the tensile shear strength reached about 2.6 kN/point.     

Dissimilar metal joining of aluminum alloy to galvanized steel with Al-Si, Al-Cu, Al-Si-Cu and Zn-Al filler wires

Aluminum alloy sheets were lap joined to galvanized steel sheets by gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) with Al-5% Si, Al-12% Si, Al-6% Cu, Al-10% Si-4% Cu and Zn-15% Al filler wires. Different amounts of Si, Cu and Zn were introduced into the weld through different filler wires. The effects of alloying elements on the microstructure in the weld and tensile strength of the resultant joint were investigated. It was found that the thickness of the intermetallic compound (IMC) layer decreased and the tensile strength of the joint increased with the increase of Si content in the weld. The thickness of the IMC layer could be controlled as thin as about 2 μm and the tensile strength of the dissimilar metal joint reached 136 MPa with Al-12% Si filler wire. Al-Si-Cu filler wire could result in thinner interfacial layer than Al-Cu filler wire, and fracture during tensile testing occurred in the weld for the former filler wire but through the intermetallic compound layer for the latter one. A Zn-rich phase formed in the weld made with Zn-15% Al filler wire. Moreover, the Zn-Al filler wire also generated thick interfacial layer containing a great amount of intermetallic compounds and coarse dendrites in the weld, which led to a weak joint.     

Laser welding/brazing of 5182 aluminium alloy to ZEK100 magnesium alloy using a nickel interlayer

Aluminium alloy and magnesium alloy were successfully joined by using laser welding/brazing technology via a nickel interlayer. Microstructure and mechanical properties of the dissimilar Al/Mg joints with and without a nickel interlayer were comparatively investigated. No joints were achieved without a nickel interlayer; after welding, specimens were separated without applying any force. By inserting a nickel interlayer, sound metallurgical bonding were obtained at the interfaces. Hence, the joint strength reached 410 N with the failure at Mg/Ni interface. The influence of Ni interlayer on the weld defect, microstructure and joint strength was studied, and the joint formation mechanism was also discussed.     

Influence of zinc on intermetallic compounds formed in friction stir welding of AA5754 aluminium alloy to galvanised ultra-high strength steel

In this study, lap joints between AA5754 and DP1000 ultra-high strength steels were produced by friction stir welding. In order to investigate the roles of zinc on intermetallic phase formation and joint properties, steel substrates were used, two being galvanised coated and one uncoated. Joint performance has been evaluated in term of maximum tensile shear loading. The effects of the process parameter, translational speed; chemical compositions; and intermetallic phase formation on the mechanical properties have been investigated. The results show that joints with a galvanised layer exhibit higher strength as compared to the non-coated steel. A thicker galvanised layer promotes the presence of zinc in the aluminium matrix, resulting in better joint properties. The level of zinc contents in the aluminium matrix depends on process temperature and material circulation characteristics. Two stable Al-rich intermetallic phases, Al₅Fe₂ and Al₁₃Fe₄, were detected at the interface regardless of the coating conditions.     

铝-镀锌钢板脉冲旁路耦合电弧MIG熔钎焊工艺及接头组织分析

提出了脉冲旁路耦合电弧MIG焊(pulsed DE-MIG welding)方法并介绍了其基本原理,针对该方法的特点和控制要求,建立了基于快速原型的脉冲旁路耦合电弧MIG焊试验系统,实现了铝-钢异种金属的连接.对铝-钢接头的组织成分进行分析.结果表明,铝-钢连接处的中间界面区Al和Fe原子扩散比较充分,生成了层状的Fe2Al5Zn0.4三元金属间化合物;焊趾部位存在富锌区,主要由α-Al固溶体和少量β-Zn相组成.同时对搭接接头进行了抗拉剪强度试验,最大强度达到186.73 MPa.