Resistance Element Welding of 6061 Aluminum Alloy to Uncoated 22MnMoB Boron Steel

A novel resistance element welding technology was applied to join 6061 Al alloy and uncoated 22MnMoB boron steel. To conduct the resistance element welding process, a technological hole was drilled in the Al sheet into which a Q235 steel rivet was inserted. Resistance spot welding was carried out at the rivet. The mechanical properties, fracture morphology, nugget formation process, dynamic resistance, microstructure, and hardness distribution of the resistance element welding were investigated. Traditional resistance spot weld joints were also prepared for comparison. Resistance spot welding could barely join Al 6061 and boron steel, and had a maximum tensile shear force of less than 1000 N. Novel resistance element welding could join the metals reliably with a maximum tensile shear force of over 7000 N and a relatively high toughness. Nugget formed at the interface of rivet and steel acted as loading position, and IMC interlayer connected rivet and aluminum.