A Novel Method for Resistance Plug Welding of 7075 Aluminum Alloy

This article investigates a novel resistance welding method – resistance plug welding – to weld 7075 aluminum alloy plates. Lap joints were made of two 1-mm thick 7075 aluminum alloy plates with circular holes punched in the center of the lap zone. A filler rod made of 5052 aluminum alloy, which has better resistance spot weldability, was inserted into the hole. The weld formation, microstructure, and mechanical properties of the joints were analyzed and compared with traditional resistance spot welding joints. The results showed that the current density was more concentrated during resistance plug welding (RPW), which led to larger nugget diameters and higher peak loads and energy absorption in a RPW joint. Defects such as hot cracking and pores, which form easily in 7075 RSW joints, were efficiently avoided in 7075 RPW joints because of the superior weldability of the 5052 aluminum alloy. Partial-thickness, pullout, and ductile fractures occurred in RPW joints, whereas interfacial fracture features and brittle fractures were observed in RSW joints.     

Effect of process parameters on the strength of resistance spot welds in 6082-T6 aluminium alloy

In this study the microstructural and mechanical behaviour of resistance spot welds (RSW) done on aluminium alloy 6082-T6 sheets, welded at different welding parameters, is examined. Microstructural examinations and hardness evaluations were carried out in order to determine the influence of welding parameters on the quality of the welds. The welded joints were subjected to static tensile-shear tests in order to determine their strength and failure mode. The increase in weld current and duration increased the nugget size and the weld strength. Beyond a critical nugget diameter the failure mode changed from interfacial to pullout. Taking into consideration the sheet thickness and the mechanical properties of the weld, a simple model is proposed to predict the critical nugget diameter required to produce pull-out failure mode in undermatched welds in heat-treatable aluminium alloys.     

Resistance spot welding joints of AISI 316L austenitic stainless steel sheets: Phase transformations,mechanical properties and microstructure characterizations

In this paper, we aim to optimize welding parameters namely welding current and time in resistance spot welding (RSW) of the austenitic stainless steel sheets grade AISI 316L. Afterward, effect of optimum welding parameters on the resistance spot welding properties and microstructure of AISI 316L austenitic stainless steel sheets has been investigated. Effect of welding current at constant welding time was considered on the weld properties such as weld nugget size, tensile–shear load bearing capacity of welded materials, failure modes, failure energy, ductility, and microstructure of weld nuggets as well. Phase transformations that took place during weld thermal cycle were analyzed in more details including metallographic studies of welding of the austenitic stainless steels. Metallographic images, mechanical properties, electron microscopy photographs and micro-hardness measurements showed that the region between interfacial to pullout mode transition and expulsion limit is defined as the optimum welding condition. Backscattered electron scanning microscopic images (BE-SEM) showed various types of delta ferrite in weld nuggets. Three delta ferrite morphologies consist of skeletal, acicular and lathy delta ferrite morphologies formed in resistance spot welded regions as a result of non-equilibrium phases which can be attributed to the fast cooling rate in RSW process and consequently, prediction and explanation of the obtained morphologies based on Schaeffler, WRC-1992 and Pseudo-binary phase diagrams would be a difficult task.     

Effect of adhesive on fatigue property of Aural2 to AA5754 dissimilar aluminum alloy resistance spot welds

General Motors (GM) has developed a proprietary resistance spot welding (RSW) process using a multi-ring, domed electrode geometry that has been used successfully in automotive aluminum welding operations. To enhance structural performance, one-part epoxy adhesives are frequently applied prior to RSW to create weld-bonded joints. The addition of adhesive can result in additional porosity created within the weld nugget. Therefore, the adhesive's impact on mechanical properties, especially fatigue properties requires further investigation.Load-controlled fatigue testing was conducted on dissimilar aluminum alloy spot welds made of AA5754 wrought sheet and Aural2 die casting sheet with and without the addition of adhesive prior to welding. The same GM RSW electrode and weld schedule was used for both conditions. The results show that the addition of adhesive results in a larger nugget size, but similar maximum load in tension-shear testing. X-ray computed tomography during interrupted fatigue testing of the spot welds shows that the main fatigue crack initiates at the edge of the nugget in the plane of the faying interface and penetrates through the Aural2 die cast sheet in the thickness direction. Using the structural stress concept, it was also found that the structural stress range–fatigue life curve for these spot welds, both with and without adhesive, falls onto a single master curve indicating that the nugget size which corresponds to the tensile and bending strength dominates the fatigue life and that adhesive-induced porosity within the weld nugget does not harm fatigue performance.     

On the failure of low carbon steel resistance spot welds in quasi-static tensile–shear loading

Failure behavior of low carbon steel resistance spot welds in quasi-static tensile–shear test is investigated. Microstructure, hardness profile and mechanical performance of the spot welds were studied. Results showed that spot welds are failed in two distinct failure modes: double-pullout and interfacial failure modes. There is a critical fusion zone size beyond which, pullout failure mode is guaranteed. Metallographic examination showed that failure is a competitive process between shear plastic deformation of weld nugget and necking of the base metal. In pullout failure mode, only the grain pattern of the base metal changes significantly and that of the fusion zone and heat affected zone remains unchanged. Strain localization was occurred in the base metal due to its low hardness. Moreover, the experimental results showed that increasing the holding time which increases the hardness of the fusion zone did not affect the peak load. It was concluded that in the pullout failure mode, the strength of the spot welds is not affected by the fusion zone strength. Fusion zone size proved to be the most important controlling factor for the spot welds’ mechanical performance in terms of peak load and energy absorption.     

Mechanical performance of three thickness resistance spot welded low carbon steel

Abstract

Resistance spot welding is the dominant process for joining sheet metals in automotive industry. Despite the application of three thickness resistance spot welds in this industry, present guidelines and recommendations are limited to two thickness spot welds. Study towards better understanding of weld nugget growth and mechanical properties is the first step to understanding the welding behaviour and developing proper guidelines for the three thickness resistance spot welding. In this paper, weld nugget growth, mechanical performance and failure behaviour of three thickness low carbon steel resistance spot welds are investigated. Macrostrcutural and microstructural investigations, microhardness tests and quasi-static tensile–shear tests were conducted. Mechanical performance of the joint was described in terms of peak load, energy absorption and failure mode. In order to understand the failure mechanism, micrographs of the cross-sections of the spot welded joints during and after tensile–shear are examined by optical microscopy. Unlike two thickness resistance spot welded joint, weld nugget was formed in the geometrical centre of the joint (i.e. centre of the middle sheet). Weld nugget size along sheet/sheet interface was greater than that of along geometrical centre of the joint. Increasing welding time leads to increases in peak load and energy absorption of the joint and transition of interfacial failure mode to pullout failure mode, primarily due to the enlargement of weld nugget size along sheet/sheet interface.     

Characterization of magnesium spot welds under tensile and cyclic loadings

Resistance spot welds of a magnesium alloy were characterized in terms of microstructure, hardness and monotonic and cyclic properties. Microstructural features in base metal and different zones in the weld region were discussed and the mechanical behavior of spot welds in tensile–shear configuration was studied. Effects of welding parameters were investigated on the micro- and macro-scale characteristics of magnesium spot welds. To this end, five sets of spot weld specimens were prepared, utilizing different welding parameters. The effect of cyclic loading was studied on microstructure and hardness of the base metal and the weld region, and it was shown that microstructural features do not change remarkably under cyclic loading. Fatigue crack initiation and propagation behavior was discussed for different specimen sets under both low and high cyclic loads. Fatigue cracks under high cyclic loading initiated close to the nugget edge, and decreasing the cyclic load nucleated the cracks farther from the nugget.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of resistance spot welded dissimilar thickness DP780/DP600 dual-phase steel joints

In this study, resistance spot welding (RSW) experiments were performed in order to evaluate the microstructure and mechanical properties of single-lap joints between DP780 and DP600. The results show that the weld joints consist of three regions including base metal (BM), heat affected zone (HAZ) and fusion zone (FZ). The grain size and martensite volume fractions increase in the order of BM, HAZ and FZ. The hardness in the FZ is significantly higher than hardness of base metals. Tensile properties of the joints were described in terms of the failure modes and static load-carrying capabilities. Two distinct failure modes were observed during the tensile shear test of the joints: interfacial failure (IF) and pullout failure (PF). The FZ size plays a dominate role in failure modes of the joints.     

Effect of governing metal thickness and stack orientation on weld quality and mechanical behaviour of resistance spot welding of AA5754 aluminium

A study was carried out to investigate the effect of governing metal thickness (GMT) and stack orientation on weld quality and mechanical behaviour of resistance spot welded (RSW) AA5754 aluminium. Individual samples from 27 different joint stacks in three test geometries; lap-shear, coach-peel and cross-tension were evaluated for quasi-static and fatigue performance; micro examination was also conducted on some of the samples to assess weld quality. The results derived from over 1000 samples show that: the GMT has a significant effect on welding quality by controlling progression of weld nugget from under-developed to over penetrated. The GMT also determines the feasible quasi-static joint strength regardless of stacks in the three joint geometries tested, though the effect differs with respect to test geometry. The fatigue behaviour is dominated by the effect of GMT on attainable weld size, overall joint stiffness and stress concentration, providing good quality of weld nuggets is achieved. No notable effect of stack orientation on weld quality and joint strength was found with respect to the joint stack asymmetry and welding orientation to the electrodes. These fundamental relationships between weld qualities, joint strength, GMT and stack orientation for RSW of aluminium will have significant relevance to design and manufacturing communities.     

The effects of the welding current on heat input,nugget geometry,and the mechanical and fractural properties of resistance spot welding on Mg/Al dissimilar materials

Investigating the joining capability of magnesium AZ31 alloy sheets and aluminium 1350 alloy sheets with the application of resistance spot welding was the objective of this study. The weld current values used in the welding process of Al–Mg sheets were 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, and 33 kA. The studies examined the nugget geometries of joined specimens, recorded the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the welded zone and the fracture surface, and recorded the energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS, semi-quantitative) analyses. The results of the experiment confirmed that nugget geometry was different for the Al and Mg sides. Tensile shear tests carried out on the welded joints determined their strength and failure mode. The increase in the weld current and duration resulted in an increase in the nugget size and the weld strength. According to observations, the tensile load bearing capacity (TLBC) increased up to 29 kA of the weld current value. It was also found that tearing during fracture occurred in two different ways.     

Effects of welding parameters on the characteristics of magnesium alloy joint welded by resistance spot welding with cover plates

Magnesium alloy AZ31B sheets were welded using the technique of resistance spot welding with cover plates. The effects of welding parameters on the characteristics of the joint were investigated. The joint with larger nugget and higher tensile shear load was obtained under relatively low welding current condition. Enhancing electrode force and extending down-sloping time are effective for inhibiting pores formation and increasing the tensile shear strength of the joint under corresponding welding conditions. The results reveal that the technique is feasible to weld magnesium alloy.     

Influence of weld parameters on the mechanical properties of spot-welded Fe-Mn-Al-Cr alloy

The static weld strength, hardness and microstructure evolution of a Fe-Mn-Al-Cr alloy during spot welding were investigated. A nugget can be formed for weld times as low as 5 cycles at 60 Hz (83 ms). The nugget growth rate is different between the front and the rear of the acceptable weld region. In the acceptable weld region, the tensile-shear strength ranges from 3038 to 3626 N, and the cross-tension strength varies from 2356 to 3136 N. The static weld strength strongly depends on the nugget size, and the dependence of the static weld strength on the electrode force is affected by the weld time and weld current. Evolution of spot-welded nuggets indicates that the hardness in the nuggets is, on average, about 100 H _V higher than that in the base unwelded metal, which is attributed to a cooling effect after welding.     

Effect of material inhomogeneity on fracture modes in aluminium–steel resistance spot welds

Resistance spot welding (RSW) is attractive for joining dissimilar materials, especially, aluminium to steel in automotive body. The direct joining of aluminium to steel forms an intermetallic compound (IMC) layer at their interface that dominates mechanical behaviour of the joint. A new formula was developed that considers material inhomogeneities such as the different mechanical properties in the weld such as base metal, heat affected zone (HAZ) and the weld nugget to accurately calculate the minimum weld nugget diameter required to enable pull‐out fracture. The shear strengths of weld regions such as the HAZ and IMC were directly measured and used as inputs to this new formula. The new formula was validated using experimental measurements from six combinations of aluminium–steel welds in comparison with analogous aluminium–aluminium welds. The new derivation was able to accurately predict fracture modes for all material combinations.     

Effect of boron content and welding current on the mechanical properties of electrical resistance spot welds in complex-phase steels

When complex phase steel where tensile strength is more than 1 GPa grade is joined by resistance spot welding (RSW) optimum boron (B) content should be chosen to satisfy weldability and mechanical properties. Therefore, in this study, the effect of the B content (0–40 ppm) on the tensile-shear strength of the RSW were investigated. As the resistivity of the base metal was independent on the B content it did not affect to nugget diameter. Regardless of the B content the specimens under 5t^1/2 (t = sheet thickness) were fractured at interfacial failure mode. In the low welding current condition (lower than 6.4 kA), measured nugget diameters were smaller than calculated critical nugget diameter regardless of the amount of B addition so that fracture mode was interfacial failure. Pull out failure occurred at the softened zone which was boundary between the base metal and the heat affected zone. Tensile-shear load of the specimen failure at the pull-out mode was increased as the fractured diameter and hardness of the softened zone were increased. Shear load was only dependent on the fractured diameter. The equations to calculate the shear and tensile-shear load were suggested for the specimens fractured at interfacial and pull-out failure modes respectively. Correlation coefficients between measured and calculated values of shear and tensile-shear load were 0.98 and 0.97, respectively. Therefore, shear and tensile-shear load of advanced high strength steel joined by RSW could be predicted successfully using the suggested equation.     

Microstructure and fatigue properties of Mg-to-steel dissimilar resistance spot welds

The structural application of lightweight magnesium alloys in the automotive industry inevitably involves dissimilar welding with steels and the related durability issues. This study was aimed at evaluating the microstructural change and fatigue resistance of Mg/steel resistance spot welds, in comparison with Mg/Mg welds. The microstructure of Mg/Mg spot welds can be divided into: base metal, heat affected zone and fusion zone (nugget). However, the microstructure of Mg/steel dissimilar spot welds had three different regions along the joined interface: weld brazing, solid-state joining and soldering. The horizontal and vertical Mg hardness profiles of Mg/steel and Mg/Mg welds were similar. Both Mg/steel and Mg/Mg welds were observed to have an equivalent fatigue resistance due to similar crack propagation characteristics and failure mode. Both Mg/steel and Mg/Mg welds failed through thickness in the magnesium sheet under stress-controlled cyclic loading, but fatigue crack initiation of the two types of welds was different. The crack initiation of Mg/Mg welds was occurred due to a combined effect of stress concentration, grain growth in the heat affected zone (HAZ), and the presence of Al-rich phases at HAZ grain boundaries, while the penetration of small amounts of Zn coating into the Mg base metal stemming from the liquid metal induced embrittlement led to crack initiation in the Mg/steel welds.     

Effects of electrode force on microstructure and mechanical behavior of the resistance spot welded DP600 joint

In this paper, the effects of electrode force on the mechanical properties, weld nugget size, failure mode, microstructure and microhardness of the resistance spot welded dual-phase steel joint were investigated experimentally. The results indicate that different electrode forces generate different weld nugget sizes and there is a critical electrode force with which the weld nugget size and mechanical properties of the welded joint can accomplish their maximum values. The mechanical properties and failure modes of the welded joint are directly associated with the weld nugget size. In addition, the electrode force also alters the microscopic structure and grain size of the welded joint, but has a weak effect on the microhardness and martensite content of the welded joint.     

三层板电阻点焊接头界面力学性能

目的为掌握汽车侧撞区域三层板电阻点焊接头不同界面的承载能力,研究三层板接头力学性能。方法以B1500HS-1.4 mm/B1500HS-1.6 mm/DC06-0.8 mm三层板电阻点焊接头为研究对象,通过剪切拉伸试验结果,对比分析不同界面的力学性能,并对焊点熔核区显微组织、界面熔核尺寸、显微硬度以及失效模式进行研究与分析。结果在三层焊中,当上下两侧板材强度相差很大时,不同界面的三层板点焊接头具有不同的峰值载荷和断裂能量,强强界面的剪切承载能力是强弱界面的6倍;熔核区不同板材处的马氏体含量以及界面熔核尺寸均影响点焊接头的力学性能;热成形钢一侧影响区因原始全马氏体组织出现了软化;拉剪试验条件下,B1500HS-1.4 mm/B1500HS-1.6 mm界面点焊接头失效模式为纽扣失效,B1500HS-1.6mm/DC06-0.8 mm界面点焊接头失效模式为先纽扣失效,后母材撕裂。结论在汽车耐撞设计中应通过承载分配,将碰撞结构力传导至强强界面,并通过隔离设计尽量避免强弱界面受到结构力影响,以提高碰撞性能。     

Interface structure and bonding in abrasion circle friction stir spot welding: A novel approach for rapid welding aluminium alloy to steel automotive sheet

Aluminium alloy 6111-T4 and steel DC04 1 mm sheets have been successfully welded with a cycle time <1 s by “Abrasion circle friction spot welding”, a novel approach to joining dissimilar materials. This was achieved by using a probe tool translated through a circular path to abrade the steel sheet. It is shown that successful welds can be produced between these two weld members with a cycle time of less than one second, that exhibit very high failure loads and a nugget pullout fracture mode desired by industry. Transmission electron microscopy investigation of the joint interface revealed no intermetallic reaction layer. The weld formation mechanisms are discussed.     

Effect of resistance spot welding parameters on weld pool properties in a DP600 dual-phase steel: A parametric study using thermomechanically-coupled finite element analysis

The objective of this research is to quantify the effects of resistance spot welding (RSW) parameters on different weld properties of a dual-phase steel. A finite element based model was used which accounted for the following required physical interactions: the interaction between (1) the electro-kinetics and heat transfer via the Joule effect, (2) the heat transfer and phase transformations through latent heat, and (3) the heat transfer, electro-kinetics, and mechanical behavior via the contact conditions. The effects of the RSW parameters on weld properties were investigated within a design of experiments framework by altering (1) the electrical current intensity, (2) the welding time, (3) the sheet thickness, (3) the electrode face radius, and (5) the squeeze force at multiple levels. The simulation results were analyzed using the analysis of variance (ANOVA) technique to show the effects of these parameters and their potential interactions, along with their significance. The current intensity was the most influential factor and resulted in an increased size of molten zone and the heat affected zone. The sheet thickness and welding time also showed significant contributions in changing the weld properties. The effects of the other parameters were less significant. The importance of this study is that finding the optimal process window for RSW parameters can help to engineer the desired weld properties.     

Magnetism-current inverse image reconstruction of the nugget in aluminum alloy spot welding based on ART algorithm

In this work, the computer tomography (CT) theory and its reconstruction algorithm were used to deal with the magnetism-current inverse problem in the resistance spot welding (RSW). At first, the magnetic fields around the nugget were detected. Then, the current distribution of the nugget section was calculated by reconstruction algorithm. At last, we changed the current distribution data into a graph using Matlab. The inversed graph of the nugget-section current distribution in the inverted RSW can be achieved, and by this graph the details of the nugget can be observed directly, which can help evaluate the joint quality.