Modeling of resistance spot welding of multiple stacks of steel sheets

Weld quality is a major challenge for resistance spot welding of multiple stacks of steel sheets. Because of the differences in mechanical and physical properties of steel sheets and the sheet gage variation, the contact state between sheets and welding current flow throughout the stack joint is complicated. As a result, discrepant weld sizes at the faying interfaces become an issue. In this study, a coupled thermal–mechanical/thermal–electrical incremental model has been developed to reasonably predict the weld nugget formation process of resistance spot welding of a sheet stack made of 0.6 mm thick galvanized SAE1004+1.8 mm thick galvanized SAE1004+1.4 mm thick galvanized dual-phase (DP600) steel using published thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties. It was found that the weld nugget on the faying interface of DP600 forms earlier than that on the other interface, which agrees well with the experimental results. Based on the coupled model, the effects of the sheet gage combination and steel grade combination were examined. The results show that, for a multiple stacks of steel sheets SAE1004 + SAE1004 + DP600, the critical ratio of sheet thickness between the top and bottom sheets is approximately 1:3. The model could provide an important guidance in the selection of the welding variables, sheet gage and steel grade to meet the weld quality of steel component.     

马氏体含量对合金化热镀锌双相钢电阻点焊接头组织与性能的影响

目的 研究在双相钢电阻电焊过程中马氏体含量对点焊接头组织、性能的影响规律。方法 使用电阻点焊机对DP780、DP980、DP1180 3种马氏体含量不同的锌铁合金化热镀锌双相钢进行焊接,利用欧姆表、光学显微镜、扫描电镜、拉伸机和显微硬度计等设备,对基板的电阻率、工艺窗口、接头力学性能、焊点断裂模式、金相组织进行表征。结果 在AWS D8.9M-2012焊接标准体系下,DP780、DP980、DP1180焊接电流窗口依次减小,DP780、DP980、DP1180 3种材料在最大焊接电流下的焊核直径基本一致;熔核区硬度呈增大趋势,DP780点焊接头软化不明显,DP980和DP1180的热影响区出现明显的软化现象,这主要是由母材热影响区中的马氏体回火造成的。DP780、DP980、DP1180的最大剪切力分别为23 062、27 317、28 183 N。DP780为拔核断裂模式,DP980和DP1180为部分拔核断裂模式。结论 双相钢中马氏体含量的增加会使焊接电流窗口降低,整体向焊接电流减小的方向偏移,但是会提高上限电流的焊点承载强度。     

铝/镀锌钢搅拌摩擦铆焊接头组织与力学性能

为实现铝钢之间的优质连接,采用搅拌摩擦铆焊新方法对6061铝合金和DP600镀锌钢进行搭接点焊,利用扫描电子显微镜、能谱仪及拉伸试验对接头的微观组织及力学性能进行了研究.结果表明:接头成形平整美观,中心没有匙孔;接头包含铆接区和扩散区,其中在铆接区铝合金以铝柱的形式嵌入到钢板的圆孔中,形成了一个"铝铆钉",底部有富铝的α固溶体偏聚,圆孔四周形成扩散区,铝和钢形成了冶金结合,依靠金属间化合物Fe Al3连接在一起;接头有3种断裂形式,在最佳工艺参数下接头的抗剪力达到8.2 k N;铝柱上断口的微观形貌是被拉长的韧窝,扩散区的断口由灰色基体和白色颗粒组成.     

金属镀层对铝/钢激光熔钎焊接头组织与性能的影响

针对在铝/钢焊接过程中,钢的表面金属镀层对铝/钢激光熔钎焊接头性能有着重要影响的问题,研究铝合金在不同金属镀层的低碳钢表面的铺展效果,通过SEM对不同金属镀层下熔钎焊接头界面微观组织形态、金属间化合物厚度、种类等进行分析,并进一步研究不同金属镀层下铝/钢接头的力学性能及断口形貌。结果表明:钢表面的金属镀层对铝/钢激光熔钎焊过程中5A06铝合金在钢上的铺展与浸润有着较大的影响,其中5A06铝合金在镀铝钢上的铺展效果最佳,且铝合金与镀铝锌钢熔钎焊的接头抗拉性能最好,达到母材铝合金的70%。铝/钢界面金属间化合物主要由铝铁金属间化合物组成,其中在镀铝钢、镀铝锌钢、镀锌钢中主要存在Fe2Al5,FeAl3,FeAl等金属间化合物,在镀镍钢界面中还存在Fe4Al13等金属间化合物。     

Resistance spot welding macro characteristics of the dissimilar thickness dual phase steels

In the present work, macro characteristics of the dissimilar thickness dual phase steel resistance spot welding joints were described in terms of melting rate, indentation rate, nugget diameter and indentation diameter. The results revealed that the melting rate of the DP600 side was higher than that of the DP780 side and the indentation rate of the DP600 side was lower than that of the DP780 side of the welded joints. The base metal lap order had the important effect on nugget diameter, and the DP780/DP600 spot welded joints tended to get the larger nugget diameter than DP600/DP780 spot welded joints with the same process parameters. The indentation diameters of DP600 and DP780 sides depended on the electrode geometry and force.     

Laser welding of Al55-Zn coated steel sheet

A study has been made of the procedures used for the lap and butt welding of 0.62 and 1.16 mm thickness steel sheets coated with Al55-Zn alloy, using laser-beam technology. The main problems arise in lap welding as a result of zinc evaporation from the coating. The vapour pressures of this element lead to cratering and blistering of the welds which are visible from the external surface and imply severe weld defects. An efficient solution to this problem consists in leaving a gap between the internal faces, thus allowing the zinc vapours to escape. Excessive gaps, however, lead to the molten metal collapse and to lack of penetration. In the present work, acceptable results were obtained with a maximum interface separation of 0.1 mm. This allows excellent continuity of the joints, without cracks, pores or non-metallic inclusions and with moderate hardnesses, thus demonstrating the good laser weldability of the coated material. A difficulty arises, however, in relation to the coating in zones close to the weld. In these high-temperature zones the coating is lost, and in the immediately adjacent areas the coating microstructure and phases are altered, as was shown by scanning electron microscope analyses.     

Fatigue life estimation of ultrasonic spot welded Mg alloy joints

Lightweight magnesium alloys are increasingly used in automotive and other transportation industries for weight reduction and fuel efficiency improvement. The structural application of magnesium components requires proper welding and fatigue resistance to guarantee their durability and safety. The objective of this investigation was to identify failure mode and estimate fatigue life of ultrasonic spot welded (USWed) lap joints of an AZ31B-H24 magnesium alloy. It was observed that the solid-state USWed joints exhibited a superior fatigue life compared with other welding processes. Fatigue failure mode changed from interfacial failure to transverse-through-thickness crack growth with decreasing cyclic load level, depending on the welding energy. Fatigue crack initiation and propagation occurred from both the notch tip inside the faying surface and the edge of sonotrode indentation-footprints due to the presence of stress concentration. A life prediction model for the spot welded lap joints developed by Newman and Dowling was adopted to estimate the fatigue lives of the USWed magnesium alloy joints. The fatigue life estimation, based on the fatigue crack growth model with the global and local stress intensity factors as a function of kink length and the experimentally determined kink angle, agreed fairly well with the obtained experimental results.     

镀锌板焊接件磷化工艺研究

针对目前焊接件焊缝区磷化效果不理想的情况,对镀锌板焊接件进行了3种不同工艺的磷化。通过扫描电镜观察磷化表面的形貌,采用硫酸铜滴定试验评价磷化膜的耐蚀性。研究表明:镀锌板焊接件用同一种磷化工艺很难达到预期效果;而先对焊缝用硝酸锌调节的磷化液喷淋磷化2 min,然后在Zn O调节酸度的磷化液中浸泡磷化2 min,焊缝和母材都可得到均匀、细小、致密的磷化膜,耐蚀性均较好。     

镀锌钢的液态金属脆现象及其在电阻点焊过程中的表现

液态金属脆是指通常具有韧性的固体金属或者合金与液态金属直接接触且受到拉伸应力时,其塑性降低并发生脆性断裂的现象。钢在液态锌中会发生液态金属脆现象,这在镀锌钢的热拉伸实验中得到了证实。此外,研究人员发现在镀锌高强钢的电阻点焊过程中也会出现液态金属脆现象,表现为在焊点表面出现大量裂纹,这些裂纹对焊点性能存在潜在危害。本文回顾了镀锌钢液态金属脆现象的热拉伸实验研究,阐明了影响脆化现象的实验因素;综述了镀锌钢在电阻点焊过程中发生液态金属脆现象的研究进展,分析了产生裂纹的位置及其影响因素,并总结了可能的解决方案。     

Pore formation mechanism and its mitigation in laser welding of AZ31B magnesium alloy in lap joint configuration

Magnesium is one of the lightest structural metals that has been used in different industries such as automobile, aerospace and electronics. However, in fusion joining of magnesium alloys, porosity is one of the main drawbacks to achieve a weld with desirable properties. The oxide layer existing on the surface of magnesium alloy is one of the causes of pore formation in the weld bead. In the current study, a fiber laser with a power of up to 4 kW is used to weld samples in a zero-gap lap joint configuration. Two groups of samples are studied: as-received (AR) surfaces (where an oxide layer remains on the surface) and treated surfaces. The surface treatment includes two techniques: mechanically removed (MR) and the use of a plasma arc (PA) as a preheating source. Also, a separate set of experiments are designed for preheating samples in a furnace for comparison with the PA-treated results. To reveal the chemical compositions of the welds and metal sheet surfaces, an energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) is performed. Surface chemical compositions are tested by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy-reflected electron energy loss spectroscopy (XPS-REELS) to characterize the surface composition on AR and PA-treated samples. The dynamic behavior of the weld pool and laser-induced plasma plume is monitored in real-time using a high speed CCD camera to investigate the stability of the laser welding process. The presence of the oxide layer at the faying surface of two overlapped sheets results in an unstable process. The obtained results reveal that the preheating procedure can effectively mitigate pore formation at the interface of the two overlapped sheets.     

Comparative study on CO2 laser overlap welding and resistance spot welding for galvanized steel

The CO₂ laser overlap welding and the resistance spot welding are respectively investigated on DC56D galvanized steel used for auto body. The characteristics of the two types of welding methods are systematically analyzed in terms of the weld molding, tensile-shear performance, microstructure, hardness, and corrosion resistance of welding joint. The results show that, the fusion widths of the upper and lower surface are almost the same for the resistance welding joint, and the weld nugget is surrounded by the heat-affected zone. While the laser welding joint belongs to deep penetration welding, the weld fusion width presents wide at the top and narrow at the bottom, and the heat-affected zone is situated on both sides of the weld pool. Compared with resistance spot welding joint, laser welding joints have much more ultrafine microstructures, much smaller heat-affected zones, as well as greater resistance to deformation and corrosion. In addition, the tensile-shear performance of laser weld joints is superior to that of resistance welding joints under certain conditions.     

Fatigue and fretting of mixed metal self-piercing riveted joint

The fatigue behavior of self-piercing rivet (SPR) joints joining differing thicknesses of AA6111-T4 aluminum and HSLA340 steel sheets in lap shear geometry was investigated in this paper. Crack initiation in the aluminum sheet was the dominant failure mode, while unexpected rivet shank failure tended to occur at high loading levels. Fretting wear was also observed at interface between aluminum and steel sheets as well as between the rivet and sheets under sinusoidal cyclic tension–tension loading. An Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis of fretting debris revealed the presence of oxides of aluminum and zinc. Fretting was shown to be critical to crack initiation. For initiations in the aluminum sheet, micro cracks were found to nucleate early in the fatigue life, and crack initiation life was found to be much shorter than crack growth life.     

预腐蚀铝合金典型螺栓单搭接件疲劳寿命研究

模拟飞机服役环境,对航空LY12 铝合金板材典型螺栓单搭接试验件做了预腐蚀试验,然后通过疲劳试验得到了未腐蚀试验件和预腐蚀后试验件的疲劳寿命。通过对试验件分解检查,分析了腐蚀对航空LY12 铝合金典型螺栓单搭接件的影响。建立了考虑腐蚀影响的基于断裂力学的沉孔螺栓搭接件疲劳寿命计算模型,对预腐蚀搭接件的疲劳寿命进行了计算和分析。结果表明:螺栓孔附近和搭接面腐蚀较表面其他部位严重,腐蚀产物的膨胀作用下产生了“枕垫效应”;计算模型得到的疲劳寿命与试验寿命吻合较好,其中模型1 最大相对误差为36.7%,模型2 的最大相对误差为25.7%。搭接件不同的腐蚀程度要选择不同的计算模型才能得出精确的结果。在分析较严重的腐蚀对搭接件疲劳寿命影响时,应考虑搭接面的多腐蚀损伤。     

Effects of various tool plunge depths on microstructure evolution,mechanical properties and dome structure features of friction stir spot welded AA5052-H32 similar joints

The solid-state nature of friction stir spot welding process provides outstanding advantages for the sound joining of aluminum alloys. Within this study, 3 mm-thick AA5052-H32 sheets are successfully joined by friction stir spot welding using 2344 hot-worked steel pin to investigate the effects of various tool plunge depths on the microstructure, mechanical and metallurgical properties of similar welds. Therefore, the experiments are performed at different plunge depths in the range of 3 mm–4 mm. Accordingly, the relationships between the process parameter (tool plunge depth) and the responses (microstructure, dome structure, microhardness and lap shear tensile load) are established. Microstructure analyses demonstrate that the increase in the plunge depth leads to more grain refinement within the stir zone, which significantly affects the mechanical performance of the similar joints. This study also indicates that the tool plunge depth in friction stir spot welding process has a noteworthy influence on the characteristic features of the 5052 aluminum alloy joints, such as the dome structure. Moreover, an explicit increase in the microhardness towards the weld stir zone is observed in all specimens. It is found that the average maximum tensile-shear force enhances with the increment in the tool plunge depth from 3 mm to 4 mm.     

Investigation of laser welding on butt joints of Al/steel dissimilar materials

Dissimilar metals of AA6013 aluminum alloy and Q235 low-carbon steel of 2.5 mm thickness were butt joined using a 10 kW fiber laser welding system with ER4043 filler metal. The study indicates that it is feasible to join aluminum alloy to steel by butt joints when zinc layer was hot-dip galvanized at the steel’s groove face in advance, and better weld appearance can be obtained at appropriate welding parameters. The joints had dual characteristics of a welding joint on the aluminum side and a brazing joint on the steel side. The smooth Fe₂Al₅ layer adjacent to the steel matrix and the serrated-shape FeAl₃ layer close to the weld metal were formed at the brazing interface. The overall thickness of Fe–Al intermetallic compounds layers produced in this experiment were varied from 1.8 μm to 6.2 μm at various welding parameters with laser power of 2.85–3.05 kW and wire feed speed of 5–7 m/min. The Al/steel butt joints were failed at the brazing interface during the tensile test and reached the maximum tensile strength of 120 MPa.     

Nucleus geometry and mechanical properties of resistance spot welded coated–uncoated DP automotive steels

In this study, mechanical properties of resistance spot welding of DP450 and DP600, galvanized and ungalvanized automotive sheets have been investigated. The specimens have been joined by resistance spot welding at different weld currents and times. Welded specimens have been examined for their mechanical, macrostructure and microstructure properties. Depending on the weld current and time, effects of zinc coating on tensile properties, microhardness values as well as microstructure nugget geometry and nucleus size ratio have been investigated. X-ray diffraction analysis has been used to investigate the phase that formed at the joint interface. Result of the experiment show that nugget diameter, indentation depth and tensile load-bearing capacity are affected by weld parameters. Coating prevents full joining at low parameters. Microhardness increased in heat-affected zone and weld metal.     

电弧电流对AZ31B/DP980激光诱导电弧焊接接头成形及力学性能的影响

采用激光诱导钨极惰性气体保护(tungsten inert gas, TIG)电弧焊接技术,在未添加任何夹层和镀层的条件下,通过优化工艺,获得了AZ31B镁合金和DP980高强钢高质量搭接焊接头,重点研究TIG电弧电流对焊接接头成形和力学性能的影响规律。结果表明：电弧电流的增大会提高镁合金在高强钢的润湿铺展能力,提升焊缝宽度的同时减小润湿角。镁合金/钢焊接接头的最大拉伸载荷随着电弧电流的增大先升高后降低,接头断裂模式由沿界面断裂转变为沿焊缝断裂。当TIG电流为80 A、激光功率为350 W时,焊接接头最大平均拉伸载荷达到279 N/mm。焊缝宽度和界面层厚度的增大以及激光匙孔的钉扎作用共同提升了镁合金/钢的接头性能。     

Combined effect of strength & sheet thickness on fatigue behaviour of resistance spot welded joint

Fatigue performance of spot welded lap shear joint is primarily dependent on weld nugget size, sheet thickness and corresponding joint stiffness. Two automotive steel sheets having higher strength lower thickness and lower strength higher thickness are resistance spot welded with established optimum welding condition. The tensile‐shear strength and fatigue strength of lap shear joint of the two automotive steel sheets are determined and compared. Experimental fatigue life of spot welded lap shear joint of each steel are compared with predicted fatigue lives using different stress intensity factor solutions for kinked crack and spot weld available in literature. Micrographs of fatigue fractured surfaces are examined to understand fracture micro‐mechanisms.     

Dissimilar metals TIG welding-brazing of aluminum alloy to galvanized steel

Dissimilar metals TIG welding-brazing of aluminum alloy to galvanized steel was investigated, and the wettability and spreadability of aluminum filler metal on the steel surface were analyzed. The resultant joint was characterized in order to determine the brittle intermetallic compound (IMC) in the interfacial layer, and the mechanical property of the joint was tested. The results show that the zinc coated layer can improve the wettability and spreadability of liquid aluminum filler metal on the surface of the steel, and the wetting angle can reach less than 20°. The lap joint has a dual characteristic and can be divided into a welding part on the aluminum side and a brazing part on the steel side. The interfacial IMC layer in the steel side is about 9.0 μm in thickness, which transfers from (α-Al + FeAl₃) in the welded seam side to (Fe₂Al₅+ FeAl₂) and (FeAl₂+ FeAl) in the steel side. The crystal grain of the welded seam is obviously larger in size in the aluminum side. The local incomplete brazing is found at the root of the lap joint, which weakens the property of the joint. The fracture of the joint occurs at the root and the average tensile strength reaches 90 MPa.     

DP590双相钢点焊接头的正交试验及超声检测分析

对DP590双相钢点焊接头进行正交试验,研究不同工艺因素对点焊接头失效载荷和焊核直径的影响,确定最优点焊工艺参数,并探讨点焊接头压痕深度的超声测量方法.采用超声波水浸聚焦入射法对1.5 mm厚的DP590双相钢点焊接头进行超声C扫描,获得接头焊核直径,利用超声A扫信号,计算点焊接头压痕深度,并与实际测量结果对比.研究表明:焊接参数对DP590点焊接头的失效载荷与焊核直径的显著性影响一致,从大到小依次为焊接电流、焊接时间、电极压力;DP590点焊接头最优的焊接工艺参数为:焊接时间70 ms,焊接电流15.0 k A,电极压力6.5 k N,在此参数下接头的抗拉强度为9 521.4 N;超声A扫信号计算得到的点焊接头表面压痕率与实际压痕率的误差在2.5%~9.7%,超声计算所得压痕深度与实际测量压痕率较为接近.