Impact of liquid metal embrittlement cracks on resistance spot weld static strength

ABSTRACT

Advanced high strength steels used in automotive structural components are commonly protected using zinc coatings. However, the steel/zinc system creates the potential for liquid metal embrittlement (LME) during welding. Although LME cracks are known to form, limited research has found any detrimental impact of LME cracks on weld strength. In this work, a comparison of zinc coated and uncoated advanced high strength steel joints showed LME decreased strength in welds from transformation induced plasticity type microstructures and an 1100?MPa ultimate tensile strength by 43.6%. LME cracks were observed to propagate until final fracture. However, only cracks located in the periphery of the weld area were found contribute to a loss in 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.     

镀锌Q & P980钢电阻点焊接头液态金属脆裂纹的影响因素分析

新一代超高强Q&P淬火延性钢在具有高强度的同时具有较好的断后伸长率,在车身制造中具有广阔的应用前景.然而在对镀锌Q&P980钢进行电阻点焊试验后,在焊接接头中发现了表面裂纹,前期研究表明该表面裂纹是由液态金属脆化机制所引起的,即钢板在液态锌和应力的共同作用下发生的沿晶界开裂.结果表明,点焊中的工艺参数,包括焊接电流、焊接时间及电极压力、以及加工条件,包括电极端面形状、加压模式、电极对中度均会对接头中的液态金属脆裂纹产生不同程度的影响,因此可以通过调整工艺参数及加工条件来降低裂纹的敏感性.     

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.     

热镀锌高强钢点焊的电极磨损对焊点质量的影响

试验研究了热镀锌高强钢点焊的电极磨损规律,同非镀层低碳钢相比,热镀锌高强钢点焊的电极寿命低、点蚀磨损特征变化明显.在此基础上分析电极磨损对焊点质量影响,电极磨损初期阶段,热镀锌高强钢点焊的飞溅严重、焊点表面产生微裂纹程度大,导致焊点质量下降.最后根据电极磨损对焊点微裂纹与熔核直径影响的试验结果,以微裂纹长度不超过0.25 mm的电极端面电流密度为标准,确定电流递增工艺方案,以减小严重电极磨损对焊点质量的影响.     

Welding metallurgy of martensitic advanced high strength steels during resistance spot welding

The paper addresses the process–microstructure–performance relationships in resistance spot welding of a martensitic advanced high strength steel. Significant softening was observed in the heat affected zone (HAZ) due to allotriomorphic ferrite formation in the inter-critical HAZ and tempering of martensite in sub-critical HAZ (SCHAZ), with the latter plays more important role in mechanical properties of the spot welds. The strain concentration associated with the HAZ softening promotes initiation of pullout failure from the soft SCHAZ. While, the peak load in the interfacial failure mode is governed by the fusion zone size, that of the pullout mode is significantly affected by the HAZ softening. To improve weldability of martensitic steels, the HAZ softening should be minimised via modifications in welding process or steel chemistry.     

热镀锌高强钢点焊的电极磨损机理分析

热镀锌高强钢点焊的电极端面合金化作用机制复杂、电极磨损严重.进行磨损电极的元素成分与金相试验分析,研究电极端面合金化作用机制与微观组织演变规律,揭示其电极磨损机理.结果表明,在合金层中发现镀层中的Zn,Al元素,锌、铝与铜在不同温度与含量情况下形成不同相合金,使电极端面导电、导热能力变差,镀层中铝的存在是电极磨损严重的一个主要原因.电极端面的点蚀区域由于较高的温度与压力作用,很容易产生微裂纹,熔化的镀锌层金属元素沿微裂纹渗入电极内部,加速电极失效.电极再结晶区域发生组织再结晶,由柱状晶转变为等轴晶,使电极硬度降低,抗塑性变形能力变差.

Abstract：

Surface alloying mechanism on the electrode end face was complex and its wear was serious in welding of high strength hot galvanization steel. Elements composition and metallography experiment of the worn electrode were carried out to study the alloying on electrode end surface and microstructure evolvement. It was shown that the elements of Al, Zn etc were found in alloying layer. Different alloys were formed for different contents of Al, Zn at different temperatures, which decreased conductivity and heat conduction on electrode face. Al in coating was one of the main reasons that led to serious electrode wear. Pitting was grown obviously and micro cracks were produced at pitting region for higher temperature and pressure, the molten metal in coating penetrated into the electrode interior and accelerated electrode invalidation. The metal structure in recrystallization region was changed from columnar crystal to equiaxed crystal, which decreased hardness and anti-plastic deformarion capability of electrode.     

变电极力作用下的电阻点焊质量分析

热镀锌低碳钢板在车身内外板上获得了广泛应用.在传统的气动焊枪作用下,采用恒定的电极力焊接时,点焊质量不稳定.然而变电极力对镀锌钢板电阻点焊质量的影响很大.因此利用伺服焊枪能够精确控制电极力的特点,运用正交试验设计方法,深入分析了点焊过程中三个阶段电极力,即预压力、焊接力和锻压力对点焊质量的影响,得到了最优的变电极力参数.结果表明,点焊过程中的锻压力是影响点焊质量的重要因素,其次是焊接力,而预压力是最次要因素;最优的变电极力参数能够明显提高热镀锌低碳钢板的焊点拉剪力和熔核直径,这为基于电极力检测的点焊质量实时评价和电极力控制方面的研究奠定了基础.     

Numerical study of electrode geometry effects on resistance spot welding

Abstract

This work numerically investigates the geometrical effects of the electrode containing a coolant hole on transport variables during resistance spot welding. The model accounts for transient magneto-fluid mechanics, heat and species transport, bulk resistance in workpiece, and film and constriction resistances at contact interfaces. The computed results show that electrode cooling due to the coolant hole influences transport processes during not only freezing and cooling periods but also heating and melting periods. Electrode cooling can be interpreted by thermal resistance, depending on the shapes of the electrode and coolant hole within the growing thermal diffusion layer. Major factors affecting electrode cooling are different in distinct time stages. In most cases, enhanced electrode cooling due to the coolant hole decreases the electrode temperature and nugget growth rate. A decrease in the electrode face radius strongly increases nugget growth rate and workpiece temperature and decreases electrode temperature, whereas its effect on cooling rate is insignificant. The optimum design and sensitivity analysis of the electrode shapes subject to required cooling rate, nugget growth rate and welding time are revealed.     

伺服焊枪点焊的电极力控制特性及其对电极磨损的影响

为促进伺服焊枪在车身制造中的应用,对比分析电机驱动伺服焊枪(简称"伺服焊枪")与气动焊枪的电极力控制特性。结果表明,伺服焊枪接触工件时电极所受冲击力小,达到预压力时间短,焊接阶段的电极力波动较小,具有更精确的电极力控制能力。在此基础上进行伺服焊枪和气动焊枪点焊的电极磨损实验,进一步分析电极力变化对电极磨损的影响。结果表明,在完全相同的焊接条件下,由于伺服焊枪良好的电极力控制特性,其电极磨损速率较低。在整个电极磨损周期,伺服焊枪点焊镀锌钢板的轴向磨损随着电极力的增加而增加,但在磨损初期阶段,由于飞溅和点蚀的影响,较小电极力下的轴向磨损反而更大一些。     

先进高强钢电阻点焊接头断裂模式的研究进展

随着汽车轻量化的发展趋势,先进高强钢(Advanced high strength steels,AHSS)在汽车结构中的应用逐渐增加,因此研究AHSS电阻点焊接头具有重要意义。重点关注AHSS点焊接头的断裂模式问题,综述近年来国内外关于同种材料两层板断裂模式、异种材料两层板断裂模式、三层板断裂模式、断裂模式的数值模拟以及界面断裂抑制方法等方面的研究进展,提出AHSS点焊接头的断裂模式及机制研究中有待解决的问题,展望未来关于AHSS点焊接头的断裂模式的研究热点和方向。     

外加磁场对铝合金电阻点焊质量的影响

分析了外加磁场对铝合金电阻点焊接头质量的影响,包括熔核尺寸、接头力学性能和微观组织. 结果表明,外加磁场增大了熔核直径、提高了点焊接头的剪切力和吸收能. 在不同工艺参数下,熔核直径增长在5%~25%,剪切拉伸力可提高10%~30%. 在一些焊接参数下,外加磁场可以降低焊接电流、减短焊接时间,从而提高焊接效率、降低能耗. 外加磁场可促进点焊熔核内等轴晶的生成和细化晶粒.当焊接电流很小或很大、焊接时间过短或过长时,都会降低外加磁场的效应. 因此当对点焊施加外磁场时,应在合理的工艺参数下进行,以最大限度地发挥外加磁场的作用.     

快速冷却对DP1000双相钢激光焊接接头性能的影响

以DP980-DP980,DP980-QP980和QP980-QP980焊接组合在5$ \\sqrt{t} $熔核直径条件下的电阻点焊接头为研究对象,通过170 ℃保温20 min的烘烤处理,对接头进行拉剪试验、十字拉伸试验、扫描电镜观察及显微硬度测试等,分析了烘烤对980 MPa先进高强钢RSW接头性能的影响。结果表明,烘烤使各组合的抗拉剪峰值载荷进一步提升,接头吸收能量提升均超过10%;在十字拉伸方面,3种组合接头在烘烤后具有相近的能量吸收,对于DP980-QP980和QP980-QP980接头,烘烤后十字拉伸强度分别提升了56%和63%,吸收能量分别提升了27%和67%;3种组合的拉剪失效模式在烘烤前后没有显著变化,而经烘烤后,DP980-QP980的十字拉伸失效模式呈现QP980侧的裂纹扩展路径从熔合线向母材偏移的趋势;烘烤使点焊接头的金相组织呈现一定的回火特性,熔核硬度有一定的降低,但是并不显著。

     

电极板辅助点焊钢/铝异质接头的组织与性能

采用电极板辅助点焊进行了H220YD高强钢与6008-T66铝合金异种金属的连接,研究了接头的微观组织和力学性能.结果表明,焊接接头是通过液态铝合金在钢/铝界面处对高强钢的润湿铺展而形成的,本质上属于熔-钎焊接头.钢/铝界面上生成了由Fe2Al5和FeAl3组成的金属间化合物层.接头中铝合金熔核直径在焊接电流为14kA、焊接时间为300 ms时达最大值为9.5 mm.接头拉剪力随焊接电流的增加先迅速增大后趋于稳定,当焊接电流为12 kA、焊接时间为300 ms时达4.3 kN,比不加电极板时提高约30%.在接头拉剪过程中裂纹的扩展路径不仅沿着金属间化合物,还部分经过铝合金熔核内部.     

镀锌钢板点焊电极寿命研究

通过在不对电极进行更换和修磨的情况下，对2种镀锌钢板进行连续点焊的电极寿命试验，探索焊接过程中电极直径的增加规律和影响因素，以及对熔核尺寸的影响，并简单分析电极在长时间焊接后的合金化程度。     

电阻点焊中电极位移的测量方法分析

简述了电阻点焊中传统的电极位移测量方法,包括直接测量方法、上电极运动测量方法和长臂工装测量方法.通过有限元方法分析了焊钳在设定电极力和动态电极力作用下的变形,并分析了该变形对上电极运动测量方法和长臂工装测量方法的影响.结果表明,因动态电极力的影响,使焊钳发生变形以及下电极发生相对较大垂直位移和偏转角,从而使上电极运动测量方法和长臂工装测量方法均无法准确测量电极位移值.最后提出了梯形关系的电极位移测量方法.     

Influence of HAZ cracks on fatigue resistance of resistance spot welded joints made of advanced high strength steels

Abstract

A method is reported with which heat affected zone (HAZ) cracks in a specific region of spot welded joints, made of advanced high strength steels, could be realised. The influence of HAZ cracks on the fatigue behaviour, which is the focus of the contribution, was studied by evaluating the stiffness characteristics as a function of the number of cycles N in comparison with crack-free specimens, i.e. by analysing HAZ and fatigue cracks on the specimen surface and the surface of fatigue fractures containing beach marks. It was found that the fatigue cracks are not initiated at the HAZ cracks. The number of cycles to failure N_f is not significantly reduced for specimens with HAZ cracks. Overall, the examinations did not reveal any influence of HAZ cracks on the fatigue strength of resistance spot welded joints.     

Dynamic simulation of resistance spot welding of zinc-coated steels

A model was developed to simulate the temperature distribution and nugget formation during resistance spot welding （ RS1V） of zinc-coated steels. It employs a coupled thermal-electrical-mechanical analysis simulating the dynamic RSW process. Temperature-dependent thermal-electrical-mechanical material properties were considered including contact-resistance. The contact area was determined from a coupled thermal-mechanical analysis. A layer of transition elements was used to represent the change of contact area by killing or activating elements. The heat generation and temperature field were computed in a coupled thermal-electrical model. All these analyses were solved using the commercial finite element method （FEM） based on ANSYS code, and some advanced functions were used by writing a paragraph of codes by the authors. Compared with the results from only coupled thermal-electrical model in which contact area was uniform during the whole process, the result matches better to the experimental results.     

电阻点焊工艺对先进高强钢焊点裂纹缺陷的影响

研究不同的焊接工艺对高强度双相钢电阻点焊焊接质量和焊点裂纹缺陷的影响。结果表明,增加焊后回火脉冲,能够改善焊点表面边部裂纹;增加预热脉冲或回火脉冲,能够明显提升焊点的抗剪性能;同时增加预热脉冲和回火脉冲,能够改善或消除焊缝区的软化点。     

Strength evaluation of ultra-high strength steels and spot weld of automotive bodies

Cockcrofi-Latham fracture criterion was applied to predict the fracture of high strength steels. A Marciniak-type biaxial stretching test of the four classes of high strength steels was carried out to measure the material damage limit of Cockcrofi-Latham fracture criterion. Furthermore, in order to improve the simulation accuracy, the local anisotropic parameters depending on the plastic strain （strain dependent model of anisotropy ） were measured by digital image correlation method and incorporated into Hill＇ s anisotropic yield condition by authors. To confirm the validity of Cockcrofi-Latham fracture criterion, the uniaxial tensile tests based on JIS No. 5 tensile specimen were performed. The force-displacement history and fracture happening strokes were predicted with high accuracy. Then, Cockcrofi-Latham fracture criterion was applied to predict the failure of four types of spot welded joints. To simulate the local bending and warping deformations around the heataffected zone, the discrete Kirchhoff triangle element was adapted. FEM results for four classes of high strength steels and four types of spot welded joints had a good correlation with experimental ones.