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.     

Analysis of acoustic and optical signals used as a basis for controlling laser‐welding processes

Stud joints of 2017 aluminium alloy were friction welded and its joint strength was examined. A stair zone was formed at the weld interface. Although the hardness of the stair zone was almost the same as base metals, the heat-affected zone of the bar and the plate was softened. The tensile strength of joints tended to increase with a pressure and a friction time, and the highest tensile strength was 275 MPa (63.1% joint efficiency for the bar base metal). In the bending testing, joints were cracked in the weld zone at a bending angle of less than 5°. In the fatigue testing, joints fractured near the weld interface and the fatigue strength of joints increased as the tensile strength of joints was high.     

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 clinching of ultra-high strength steel sheets and strength of joints

Ultra-high strength steel sheets having low ductility were joined by mechanical clinching with dies for control of metal flow. The diameter and depth of the die were modified to relieve concentration of deformation of the sheets for avoidance of the occurrence of sheet fracture. As the tensile strength of the steel sheets increased, the interlock decreased due to small metal flow. Two kinds of the ultra-high strength steel sheets having different ductility were used. The ultra-high strength steel sheets having large ductility were successfully joined using die having modified shape, whereas the sheets having small ductility were not joined. The static and fatigue strengths of the mechanically clinched joint were compared with those of the resistance spot welded joint. Although the static load of the mechanically clinched joint was smaller than that of the resistance spot welded joint in both tension-shearing and cross-tension tests, the fatigue load of the clinched joint was larger in the large number of cycles. It was found that mechanical clinching has superior fatigue strength due to the large yield stress of the sheets and relaxation of the stress concentration.     

Static and fatigue performance of weld bonded dual phase steel sheets

Abstract

Lap joints of dual phase steel sheets of 1·0 mm were prepared by adhesive bonding, spot welding and weld bonding processes using a one component epoxy base structural adhesive. Mechanical properties of the joints were evaluated by tensile shear and fatigue tests. The size of the weld nugget for both spot weld and weld bond was measured for different welding parameters (current, time) and compared. For identical welding parameters, weld bonded nuggets exhibit higher nugget diameter. Tensile shear strength of weld bonded joints is 40 and 58% higher than spot welded joints and 15 and 39% higher than adhesive bonded joints and for DP590 and DP780 steels respectively. Considering 10⁶ cycles, the endurance limit of weld bonded joint is much higher than spot welded joint but smaller than adhesive bonded joints. Overall the performance of weld bonded joints is superior to those of resistance spot welding.     

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.     

Development of solver system for FEM analysis of solder joints

This study was aimed at establishment of a model that can predict tensile shear strength and fracture portion of laser-welded lap joints in the tensile test. To clear the influence of bead length and bead width on them, the joints that used steel sheets with a thickness in the range of 0.8–1.2 mm were evaluated. It was found that the tensile shear strength increases with the bead size, and the fracture occurs at base metal (BM), weld metal (WM) or a portion between them with a curvature heat-affected zone (HAZ), in the tensile test. Also to clarify the rotational deformation process around WM during the tensile test, cross-sections of joints were observed, which were applied to several loads in the tensile test. This observation derived the relationship between the radius, R_i, at the inner plane of the HAZ and the rotational angle at the centre of the sheet thickness. Furthermore, the relationship between Ri and the applied load was obtained by linear regression. A plastic analysis for deformation of the joints was carried out based on these functions and some assumptions. These assumptions consider that the joint consists of BM, WM and HAZ, which are under a simplified stress mode. Finally, estimation of the tensile shear strength and the fracture portion of the joints was achieved. This estimation made good accordance with the experimental results.     

Fatigue strength of hot-stamped spot welded joints*—study on spot welding tailored blank technology

Hot stamping spot welding tailored blank (TB) technology is a process to produce spot welded automotive body parts by the following process: Spot welding steel sheets in lap configuration → Hot stamping (Heating to about 900°C → Quenching and forming in water-cooled die → Shot blasting to remove scale). This process has the advantage of producing high strength lap welded automotive body parts without increasing the number of forming dies. In this study, the tensile shear fatigue strength of the spot welding TB joints (Spot welding → Hot stamping) and conventional spot welded joints (Hot stamping → Spot welding) of the 1500MPa class uncoated boron steel sheets are compared. The obtained results are as follows. The fatigue life of the spot welding TB joints was more than two times longer than that of the conventional spot welded joints. The long fatigue life of the spot welding TB joints was not caused by the heating and quenching process but by the shot blasting process after heat treatment. Shot blasting on the outer sheet surface caused the high compressive residual stress on the outer surface and did not affect the residual stress on the lapped surface. Shot blasting on the outer sheet surface increased the initiation life of fatigue crack which occurred on the lapped surface and also reduced the crack propagation speed which propagates from the lapped surface to the outer surface. FE-analysis suggested that compressive residual stress on the outer surface reduce the opening of sheet separation of joints in fatigue tests and reduce the maximum principal stress around the edge of corona bond.     

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.     

Laser brazing of a dissimilar joint of austenitic stainless steel and pure copper

In many industries, there are applications that require the joining of stainless steel and copper components; therefore, the welding of dissimilar stainless steel/copper joints is a common process. For this investigation, the optimal brazing conditions and suitable filler metals for laser brazing of stainless steel/copper lap joints were studied. Tensile shear force increases with increases in the laser spot diameter or in the laser irradiation angle, which is associated with increased bonding width; however, as bonding width approaches 2 mm, tensile shear force reaches a saturated value due to fracturing at the HAZ of the Cu base plate. In order to obtain joints with high tensile shear strength, laser brazing was optimized by using Cu–Si-based filler metal under the following conditions: laser power, 4 kW; spot diameter, 3 mm; laser irradiation angle, 80°; irradiation position shift, 0.6 mm; brazing speed, 0.30 m/min; and filler metal feed speed, 0.30 min. Concerning filler metals, it was found that the Ni–Cu type showed relatively large tensile shear force even at high welding speeds in comparison with those of the Cu–Si, Cu, Cu–Ni, Ni–Cu and Ni types, respectively.     

Friction anchor welding between Al alloy and Zn-coated steel using insert steel difference in the mechanism of friction anchor welding between the types of Zn coatings on Zn-coated steel

The lap joints of upper Al alloy sheets (1.0-mm-thick A5052) and lower Zn-coated steel sheets (1.2-mm-thick GI steel or GA steel) were welded using insert steel sheets (0.6-mm-thick SPCC) by a spot welding process with a tool having a spherical ceramic tip, i.e. ‘Friction Anchor Welding.’ As a result, straight (not-rugged) steel projections were formed in the Al alloy sheets for both the GI and GA, while steel projections were not formed for the GI, rugged steel projections were formed for the GA without the insert steel sheets. In addition, the tensile shear strength for the GI was greater than that for the GA. In other words, the tensile shear strengths reached about 3.9 kN/point for the GI and about 3.2 kN/point for the GA, which were greater than those of the welds without the insert steel sheets. On the other hand, the cross tensile strengths for the GI and GA were almost the same, which reached about 2.6 kN/point. Additionally, for the GI, the Zn layer on the GI steel sheet melted and was totally removed due to the pressure and heat caused by the rotating tool, which facilitated the welding between the SPCC and GI steel sheets. For the GA, however, the Zn-Fe layer on the GA steel sheet changed to a solid-liquid mixture and was not completely removed, which prevented the welding between the SPCC and GA steel sheets. Therefore, the thickness of the steel-steel welded region (i.e. the SPCC-GI or the SPCC-GA welded region) for the GI was greater than that for the GA. We estimated that the difference in this thickness is significantly related to the fracture mechanism during the tensile shear test and the cross tensile test.     

焊接残余应力对高强度钢低匹配对接接头静载强度的影响

采用有限元方法研究了焊后拉伸条件下高强度钢等匹配和低匹配对接接头内部应力的变化情况。结果表明,焊后横向和纵向拉伸载荷增至临界失效载荷期间,等匹配和低匹配接头的焊缝区和母材区应力均一直持续增加,但焊缝及近缝母材区应力在焊接残余应力基础上的增加较远端母材区缓慢;最终近缝母材区的应力明显高于远端母材区,未表现出内应力完全调匀的特征;这意味着由于焊接残余应力的存在,高强度钢宽板等匹配焊接结构的静载强度可能略有损失,而高强度钢宽板低匹配焊接结构更将在焊缝低强的影响下损失更大的静载强度。     

板厚对不锈钢车体激光叠焊接头抗剪强度和疲劳强度的影响

为了研究板厚对不锈钢激光叠焊接头抗剪强度和疲劳强度的影响,该文针对0.8 mm+2 mm和2 mm+2 mm²种不同板厚搭配的不锈钢激光叠焊接头分别进行了拉伸试验和疲劳试验。结果表明,2 mm+2 mm接头的抗剪强度和疲劳强度均高于0.8 mm+2 mm接头。失效分析发现,2种接头的拉伸破坏由焊肉部位剪断引起的;2种接头的疲劳裂纹均萌生于2 mm未焊透板,裂纹起始位置在2个焊板之间靠近焊核附近未焊透板的热影响区,裂纹沿着焊核边缘向未焊透板外表面方向扩展,直至穿透未焊透板。对焊接接头部位的有限元受力分析可知,2种接头的应力集中程度的不同是造成它们抗剪强度和疲劳强度差异的主要原因。     

Dependence of strength and fracture behaviour on chemical compositions in spot-welded L-type joints

In order to achieve lighter and stronger car bodies by applying high strength steel sheets, one of the key technologies is enhancement of joint strength. In this study, we investigated dependence of strength and fracture behaviour on chemical compositions of steels in spot-welded L-type joints in detail. Consequently, the following experimental results were obtained. (1) Maximum load of the joint decreased with increase of carbon (C) and phosphorous (P). The maximum load was decreased by 0.4–0.7 kN with increase of 0.1% in C, with C content ranging from 0.03 to 0.5%, and 0.5 kN with increase of 0.01% in P, with P content ranging from 0 to 0.03%. (2) Fracture portion changed from the outside to the inside of weld metal with increase of C and P. (3) The fracture path was estimated to accord with the solidification segregation site in the weld metal in the case of a steel of 0.2% C, 0.03% P. (4) By implementation of an appropriate post heat during spot welding process for the steel of 0.2% C, 0.03% P, the degree of solidification segregation was clearly reduced and the maximum load of the joints was improved by 70%.     

Microstructure and Properties of Lap Joint Between Aluminum Alloy and Galvanized Steel by CMT

Lap joining of 1-mm-thick Novelist AC 170 PX aluminum alloy to 1.2-mm-thick ST06 Z galvanized steel sheets for automotive applications was conducted by cold metal transfer advanced welding process with ER4043 and ER4047 filler wires. Under the optimized welding parameters with ER4043 filler wire, the tensile shear strength of joint was 189 MPa, reaching 89% of the aluminum alloy base metal. Microstructure and elemental distribution were characterized by optical metalloscope and electron probe microanalysis. The lap joints with ER4043 filler wire had smaller wetting angle and longer bonded line length with better wettability than with ER4047 filler wire during welding with same parameters. The needle-like Al-Fe-Si intermetallic compounds (IMCs) were spalled into the weld and brought negative effect to the tensile strength of joints. With increasing welding current, the needle-like IMCs grew longer and spread further into the weld, which would deteriorate the tensile shear strength.     

Joint strength and behaviour of coated aluminium in laser lap welding of steel sheets

When galvanized steel sheets are closely overlapped and welded by laser lap welding, a large amount of molten metal spatters, resulting in a poor surface appearance of the weld and weakened strength of the welded joint, as compared with that of cold-rolled steel sheets. Whereas in the case of aluminium-coated steel sheets, even when they are closely overlapped and welded by laser lap welding, no spattering occurs. Thus, a good surface appearance of the weld is obtained, but the welded joint has lower strength. In both the mentioned cases, it is known that if a clearance of about 0.1 mm is provided between the steel sheets, laser lap welding produces a good surface appearance of the weld and the welded joint strength equal to that of the cold-rolled steel sheets. This report discusses specifically how, in laser lap welding of overlapped Al-coated steel sheets, Al of the coated layer comes to enter the weld metal, also specifically how to reduce the joint strength, as well as what behaviours of Al are present when a clearance is provided between the steel sheets. When the steel sheets are closely overlapped and welded, Al becoming molten on the base metal side of the bond of the overlapped face becomes swallowed up by the bath streams of the molten pool, flowing into the molten pool, then forming the Fe–Al intermetallic compound, while not being sufficiently stirred. It is considered that when subjected to the tensile shear test, the Fe–Al intermetallic compound starts to fracture, thereby causing a partial loss of the weld metal and a reduction in the joint strength. On the other hand, when a clearance is provided between the steel sheets, it may be inferred that the fusion Al on the base metal side of the bond stays in place without flowing into the molten pool, consequently not forming the Fe–Al intermetallic compounds within the weld metal.     

等离子喷涂法改善焊接结构的疲劳性能

采用低碳钢涂层对1Cr18Ni9Ti不锈钢横向与纵向角焊缝接头进行喷涂处理,测试了涂层的显微硬度和结合强度,并分别在焊接状态和喷涂处理状态下进行疲劳对比试验.试验结果表明,等离子喷涂层的显微硬度、结合强度约为火焰喷涂层的2倍.等离子喷涂后1Cr18Ni9Ti接头疲劳性能明显改善.横向接头焊接状态试件的疲劳强度为169.8 MPa,火焰喷涂试件为186.2 MPa,等离子喷涂试件为213.8 MPa,与焊接状态试件相比,等离子喷涂试件的疲劳强度提高25.9%,火焰喷涂试件提高9.7%.纵向接头焊接状态试件的疲劳强度为91.1 MPa,等离子喷涂试件为100.4 MPa,等离子喷涂后疲劳强度提高10.2%.     

转向架用SMA490BW钢焊接接头超高周疲劳性能

采用超声疲劳试验方法对SMA490BW钢焊接接头的超高周疲劳性能进行研究,通过X射线应力仪对焊接试样残余应力进行测试,采用扫描电镜对疲劳裂纹的萌生、扩展及疲劳断裂机理进行观察和分析. 结果表明,SMA490BW钢母材的疲劳性能远高于焊接接头,在1 × 108循环周次条件下,接头的疲劳强度为141 MPa,仅为母材的44.2%. 接头裂纹主要萌生于焊趾表面缺陷处,疲劳断裂机理表现为准解理断裂, 并伴有塑性变形痕迹. 焊趾处几何不连续造成的应力集中和焊缝及其附近区域一定的残余拉应力,以及接头各微区组织和性能的不均匀性,是导致焊接接头疲劳性能偏低的主要原因.     

Microstructure and Fatigue Properties of Laser Welded DP590 Dual-Phase Steel Joints

In this paper, cold-rolled DP590 dual-phase steel sheets with 1.5 mm thickness were butt-welded by a fiber laser, and the evolution and effect on microhardness, tensile property and fatigue property of the welded joint microstructure were studied. The results showed that the base metal is composed of ferrite and martensite, with the martensite dispersed in the ferrite matrix in an island manner. The microstructure of the weld zone was lath-shaped martensite that can be refined further by increasing the welding speed, while the heat-affected zone was composed of ferrite and tempered martensite. The microhardness increased with increasing welding speed, and the hardness reached its highest value—393.8 HV—when the welding speed was 5 m/min. Static tensile fracture of the welded joints always occurred in the base metal, and the elongation at break was more than 16%. The conditional fatigue limits of the base metal and the weld joints were 354.2 and 233.6 MPa, respectively, under tension–tension fatigue tests with a stress rate of 0.1. After observation of the fatigue fracture morphology, it was evident that the fatigue crack of the base metal had sprouted into the surface pits and that its expansion would be accelerated under the action of a secondary crack. The fatigue source of the welded joint was generated in the weld zone and expanded along the martensite, forming a large number of fatigue striations. Transient breaking, which occurred in the heat-affected zone of the joint as a result of the formation of a large number of dimples, reflected the obvious characteristics of ductile fracture.     

22MnB5超高强钢焊接组织与性能

采用钨极氩弧焊方法,实现了22MnB5超高强钢淬火前后同种材料之间的连接,进行了焊接接头拉伸试验和热影响区内显微组织及硬度分布试验,并对焊接前后材料的抗腐蚀性能进行了试验分析.结果表明,淬火处理后22MnB5组织结构从铁素体+珠光体组织转变为马氏体组织,显微硬度与抗拉强度大幅度提高,原始及淬火后材料的焊接接头具有良好的力学性能和组织形貌,焊后焊接接头抗拉强度和硬度略低于原始母材,经淬火处理后的材料焊后抗拉强度达到1179.59 MPa,略低于淬火材料但比原始母材高很多,淬火热处理材料的腐蚀速率略有上升,而焊接后将大幅度增加腐蚀速率,通过比较淬火焊缝钢腐蚀速率最大.