Self-piercing riveting of high tensile strength steel and aluminium alloy sheets using conventional rivet and die

High tensile strength steel sheets having different strengths were joined with an aluminium alloy sheet by a self-piercing rivet. In the joining, a conventional rivet and die used for aluminium alloy sheets were employed in order to have the versatility for various steel sheets. The effects of the flow stress of the high strength steel sheets and the combination of the sheets on the joinability of the sheets were investigated by finite element simulation and an experiment. As the tensile strength of the high strength steel sheet increases, the interlock for the upper high strength steel sheet increases due to the increase in flaring during the driving through the upper sheet, whereas that for the lower high strength steel sheet decreases. The joint strength for the lower high strength steel is comparatively smaller than that for the upper high strength steel sheet. It was found that the high tensile strength steel sheets below 590 MPa were fully joined with the aluminium alloy sheet even with the conventional self-piercing rivet and die.     

Self-pierce riveting of multiple steel and aluminium alloy sheets

Multiple steel and aluminium alloy sheets were joined by self-pierce riveting. Self-pierce riveting is attractive for joining multiple and dissimilar sheets, because joining of individual interfaces is not necessary unlike the conventional joining processes, i.e. sheets except for a lower sheet are merely pieced with a rivet shirt. The steel sheets ranged from mild steel to ultra-high strength one having 980 MPa in tensile strength, and the joinability for three steel and aluminium alloy sheets for various combinations was examined from both experiments and finite element simulation. The joinability was improved by setting a softer sheet uppermost due to smooth piercing. In addition, the joining range for self-piece riveting of three high strength steel and aluminium alloy sheets was extended by optimising a shape of the die, and the ultra-high strength steel, mild steel and aluminium alloy sheets were successfully joined.     

Joining of high strength steel and aluminium alloy sheets by mechanical clinching with dies for control of metal flow

High strength steel and aluminium alloy sheets were joined by mechanical clinching with dies for control of metal flow. Since the sheets undergo plastic deformation for the joining during the mechanical clinching, the high strength steel sheets tend to fracture due to the small ductility. For the upper high strength steel sheet, fracture was caused by the concentration of deformation around the corner of the punch, and cracks were caused by the tensile stress generated in the bulged bottom into the groove of the die for the lower high strength steel sheet. To prevent these defects, metal flow of the sheets was controlled by optimising a shape of the die. For the upper high strength steel sheets, the depth of the die was decreased to prevent the concentration of deformation around the corner of the punch. On the other hand, the groove of the die was eliminated to reduce the tensile stress for the lower high strength steel sheets. The sheets below SPFC780 and SPFC980 were successively joined with the aluminium alloy sheet for the upper and lower high strength steel sheets, respectively.     

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.     

Special features of the winding bend test

Summary

This paper deals with the resistance spot weldability of steel to aluminium alloy using an intermediate layer of aluminium clad steel. Five types of clad sheet with various steel/aluminium thickness ratios were produced by hot rolling. The mechanical properties of the clad sheet changed with the thickness ratio and ranged between those of steel and:those of aluminium sheet. The peel strength of the steel/aluminium interfaces was greater than 25 N/mm.

Materials used in spot welding were 0.8 mm thick EDDQ steel sheet, three types of 1.0 mm thick aluminium alloy sheet and the clad sheet mentioned above. Spot‐weldability, including suitable welding current, nugget diameter, tensile shear strength and thickness of the intermetallic compound layer formed at the interface of the clad sheets, changed with the thickness ratio of the clad sheet. From these results, it was concluded that spot‐weldability was affected by the thickness ratio of the clad sheets.

Spot‐weldability was also affected by the alloying elements in the aluminium alloy sheet. Tensile shear strength and nugget diameter varied in various types of aluminium alloy sheet.     

Improvement of stretch flangeability of ultra high strength steel sheet by smoothing of sheared edge

Stretch flangeability of an ultra high strength steel sheet having small ductility was increased by improving quality of a sheared edge. The effect of the quality of the sheared edge on the stretch flangeability of the high strength steel sheets was examined from expansion of a sheared hole with a conical punch. The quality of the sheared edge varied with the clearance between the punch and die, and the quality influenced the limiting expansion ratio. It was shown from measurement of surface of the sheared edge that the limiting expansion ratio of the sheared ultra high strength steel sheet is dependent on the macroscopic unevenness and hardness of the sheared edge and not on the microscopic roughness. The macroscopic unevenness of the sheared edge was eliminated by smoothing the edge with a conical punch. It was found that the smoothing of the sheared edge is effective in improving the stretch flangeability of the ultra high strength steel sheet.     

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.     

Prediction of forming limit in deep drawing of Fe/Al laminated composite sheets using ductile fracture criterion

Axisymmetric deep drawing processes of laminates composed of mild steel and various aluminium alloy sheets are simulated by FEM. From the calculated stress and strain histories of elements in each layer, the fracture initiation site and the forming limit are predicted by using the ductile fracture criterion. The predictions so obtained are compared with experimental observations. The results exhibit that various types of fracture initiations in deep drawing of the laminated composite sheets are successfully predicted. Furthermore it is found that the drawability is improved by setting the mild steel sheet on the punch side for the case of aluminium alloy sheet with comparatively high ductility, and by sandwiching the aluminium alloy sheet with the mild steel sheets for the case of low ductility.     

Warm and Hot Stamping of Ultra High Tensile Strength Steel Sheets Using Resistance Heating

A warm and hot stamping process of ultra high tensile strength steel sheets using resistance heating was developed to improve springback and formability. In this process, the decrease in temperature of the sheet before the forming is prevented by directly heating the sheets set into the dies by means of the electrical resistance, the so-called Joule heat. Since the heating time up to 800°C is only 2 seconds, the resistance heating is rapid enough to synchronise with a press. The effects of the heating temperature on the springback and formability of ultra high tensile strength steel sheets were examined. The springback in hat-shaped bending of the high tensile strength steel sheets was eliminated by heating the sheet. In addition, the ultra sheet having a tensile strength of 980MPa was successfully drawn by the heating. The heating temperature is optimum around 600°C due to the small springback and oxidation and the increase in hardness.     

钛合金自冲铆接头微动磨损机理及疲劳性能

对钛合金同种TA1-TA1（TT）及异种TA1-Al5052（TA）,TA1-H62（TH）自冲铆接头进行疲劳试验,用扫描电子显微镜对断口及微动区进行观测研究其微动磨损机理,并研究下板强度对接头疲劳寿命和失效形式的影响.结果表明,断口裂纹萌生区即为微动磨损区.微动磨损导致微动区亚表面产生微裂纹并逐步扩展为宏观疲劳裂纹导致接头最终失效;微动磨屑在微动磨损过程中主要起减轻磨损作用.总体上TT接头具有最优疲劳性能,疲劳载荷较高时TA接头疲劳性能优异,疲劳载荷较低时TH接头疲劳性能优异.两板强度相当且疲劳载荷较高时失效形式主要为铆钉断裂,疲劳载荷较低时失效形式主要为下板断裂;而下板强度与上板强度相差较大时,疲劳失效形式为下板断裂.     

Resistance spot welding of steel and aluminium sheet using insert metal sheet

Abstract

The present paper reports the resistance spot welding of steel and aluminium sheets using aluminium clad steel sheets as insert metals. Intermetallic compound layers were formed in the weld zones in direct spot welding of steel sheets to aluminium sheets. Thus, the strength of these joints was lower than that of aluminium to aluminium joints. Intermetallic compound layers were also formed at the steel/aluminium interfaces of the insert metal in welding of steel to aluminium using an insert metal sheet. However, the strength of these joints was of the same order as that of the aluminium joints. The fracture mode of these joints varied with the welding current. The suitable welding current for steel to aluminium joints varied between the values suitable for steel to steel and aluminium to aluminium joints. The fatigue strength of joints using insert metals was somewhat lower than that of the aluminium joints.     

Electrochemical behaviour of aluminium/steel rivet joints

The galvanic corrosion behaviour of a rivet joint of two sheets of the aluminium alloys EN AW-6014-T4 and EN AW-6082-T5 joined by an electrogalvanized steel blind rivet was investigated. The potentiodynamic polarization curves in a 5 wt.% NaCl solution show a potential reversion of the anodic and cathodic regions of the rivet joint. The surface potential was investigated with a capillary electrode before and after corrosion. From the measurements by the capillary electrode and SEM-observations an improved resistance against galvanic corrosion is expected after the dissolution of the zinc layer of the blind rivet.     

Fatigue behaviour of Al/steel dissimilar resistance spot welds fabricated using Al–Mg interlayer

Aluminium alloy sheets were joined to stainless steel ones by a resistance spot welding method using Al–Mg alloy interlayer. The interlayer exhibits a lower melting point than the Al alloy. Consequently, melted interlayer with a lower temperature filled the gap between the two sheets and resulted in effective joining. Subsequently, tensile shear fatigue tests had been conducted to evaluate fatigue strength and to determine the fatigue fracture mechanism. Resistance spot welding dissimilar welds exhibited higher fatigue strengths than friction stir spot welded dissimilar ones. Fatigue fracture modes were dependent on the load levels, where plug type fracture occurred at high load levels, shear fracture through the nugget at medium load levels and through thickness fatigue crack propagation in the Al sheet at low load levels. The fracture mode transition was attributed to the geometrical rotation around the nugget.     

Feasibility of measuring residual stress profile in different self-pierce riveted joints

Abstract

The feasibility of measuring residual stresses in self-pierce riveted (SPR) joints by neutron diffraction technique was investigated. The main challenge involved dealing with the very small dimensions of SPR joints. Two different joints were examined: aluminium–steel and steel–steel. Even though small dimensions were involved, meaningful results were obtained. In the rivet head, tensile stress was observed for the steel–steel sample, whereas only compressive stress was observed for the aluminium–steel. The residual stress in the rivet head was higher at the centre and lower at the edge for both joints. Stresses in the sheet material beside the rivet wall and at a distance of three times the rivet radius from the rivet axis were not significant. For the SPR joints examined, the maximum value of residual stress was compressive and occurred in the rivet leg. The results are discussed according to the physical events involved during the process.     

Comparison of mechanical properties of die cast aluminium alloys: cold v. hot chamber die casting and high v. low speed filling die casting

Abstract

In this paper, the mechanical properties of die cast aluminium alloys made by various die casting technologies were examined. To create high quality aluminium alloy die castings, two die casting processing technologies were employed. These were (a) ultra slow speed filling cold chamber die casting and (b) high speed hot chamber die casting. Significant improvements of the fatigue and mechanical properties were obtained for both die casting systems compared to the normal high speed cold chamber die casting technique. By comparing ultra slow die casting with hot chamber die casting, it was found that the fatigue and mechanical strengths from hot chamber die casting were higher than those for ultra slow filling die casting. The differences in material strength were attributed directly to the material properties, e.g. microstructural morphology and internal defects. Spherical fine dendritic cells in the hot chamber die casting sample gave rise to high fatigue crack growth resistance; the low crack growth resistance for cold chamber die cast aluminium is mostly due to the growth of aluminium rich α phase and the presence of eutectic silicon fibres. The fatigue strength was also related to the number of internal defects, e.g. the lower the defect rate on the fracture surface, the higher the fatigue resistance and mechanical strength. The characteristics of the principal internal defect were different depending on the die casting technology: this showed fine porosity for hot chamber die casting but solidification shrinkage and the scattered chill structure for slow and high speed cold chamber die castings. The reasons for the change of material strength were therefore influenced by the die casting process.     

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.     

Self-piercing riveting process: An experimental and numerical investigation

The self-piercing riveting is a young technology for joining sheet metals in automotive structures. In this paper, the riveting process has been simulated numerically using the finite element code LS-Dyna. A 2D axisymmetric model was generated including two sheets to be joined, rivet and tools. The rivet and tools geometries are based on the Böllhoff standards. An implicit solution technique with r-adaptivity has been used. The advantages and the limits of using r-adaptivity in this class of metal forming process are discussed. In addition, parametric studies on important parameters for the forming process, i.e. friction, mesh size and failure criteria are presented. In order to validate the numerical simulation of the riveting process, a new test device was developed in order to record the force applied on the rivet during the riveting process. An extensive experimental program on specimens made of aluminium alloy 6060 in two different tempers, T4 and T6, has been used as a database for the validation of the numerical simulations. The results show the capability to simulate the riveting process for different combination of plate material and rivet geometries.     

模内自驱动跳步冲孔模设计

针对高精度多排孔冲压件,设计了一种新型模内自驱动跳步冲孔模,该模具结构包含:上模的楔块,下模凹模板的驱动机构、同步机构及防翘机构,上模和下模的浮动滚轮机构。设计及优化了板材周边斜齿结构,分析了多排孔分布规律,提出了跳步冲孔的工艺方案。结果表明:上模楔块推动驱动机构的滑块,滑块内的齿形推杆推动事先冲好的板材周边斜齿,在同步机构、防翘机构和浮动滚轮机构共同作用下,实现了等间距跳步冲孔;斜齿的齿顶角和齿根角的优化值均为60°;上、下模的浮动滚轮机构迫使板材在上滚轮和下滚轮之间滚动,将滑动摩擦变为滚动摩擦,极大地减少了零件表面的划痕缺陷。     

TA1钛合金自冲铆接接头疲劳性能及失效机理分析

采用轴向加载的形式对TA1钛合金自冲铆接试样进行疲劳试验,分析了不同因素下试样的疲劳强度变化规律;通过扫描电镜对试样失效断口和微动磨损进行分析,研究试样的失效机理. 结果表明,在同种铆接因素下,试样疲劳强度随应力比的增大而增大,随最大载荷值的增加而下降. 通过断口分析发现,铆钉断裂失效时,疲劳裂纹主要产生在钉胫外侧;基板断裂失效时,疲劳裂纹首先萌生在铆钉胫尾部与下板接触区域. 基板与铆钉的微动磨损在某种情况下存在竞争机制,当铆钉微裂纹扩展速率大于基板时表现为铆钉失效,反之为基板失效.     

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.