Refill friction stir spot welding (RFSSW): a review of processing, similar/dissimilar materials joining, mechanical properties and fracture mechanism

Refill friction stir spot welding(RFSSW)provides a novel method to join similar and/or dissimilar metallic materials without a key-hole in the center of the joint.Having the key-hole free characterization,the similar/dissimilar RFSSW joint exhibits remarkable and endurable characteristics,including high shear strength,long fatigue life,and strong corrosion resistance.In the meanwhile,as the key-hole free joint has different microstructures compared with conventional friction stir spot welding,thus the RFSSW joint shall possess different shear and fatigue fracture mechanisms,which needs further investigation.To explore the underlying failure mechanism,the similar/dissimilar metallic material joining parameters and pre-treatment,mechanical properties,as well as fracture mechanisms under this novel technology will be discussed.In details,the welding tool design,welding parameters setting,and the influence of processing on the lap shear and fatigue properties,as well as the corrosion resistance will be mainly discussed.Moreover,the roadmap of RFFSW is also discussed.

Microstructures and mechanical properties of metal inert-gas arc welded Mg-steel dissimilar joints

The joining of Mg alloy to steel was realized by metal inert-gas arc welding, and the weld thermal cycle characteristics and Mg-steel joints were investigated. The results show that the temperature distribution in the joints is uneven. Mg alloy welds present a fine equiaxed grain structure. There exists a transition layer consisting mainly of AlFe, AlFe3 and Mg（Fe, Al）2O4 phases at Mg/steel interface, and it is the weakest link in Mg？steel joints. The welding heat input and weld Al content have the significant effect on the joint strength. The joint strength increases with increasing the heat input from 1680 J/cm to 2093 J/cm, due to promoting Mg/steel interface reaction. When weld Al content is increased to 6.20%, the joint strength reaches 192 MPa, 80% of Mg alloy base metal strength. It is favorable to select the suitable welding heat input and weld Al content for improving joint strength.

Challenge to Welding and Joining Technology for Applying Multi-material in Electric Vehicle Production

Advanced high strength steel,aluminum alloy and plastic materials are used in the right places for the purpose of reducing the weight of EV(electric vehicle)bodies and in-vehicle parts,and multi-material structures are advancing.Therefore,it is difficult to handle the welding and joining processes of automobile structures by the conventional arc welding and resistance spot welding,which have been applied to steel joining,and various joining processes are being applied depending on the material.Under above mentioned background,the authors have developed some unique joining processes for multi-materials that are used in the right place.This paper introduces the dissimilar metal joining between the galvanized steel and aluminum alloy by laser arc hybrid process,the metal/thermoplastic dissimilar material joining using laser process and the solid-state resistance spot joining process of advanced high strength steel for EV body structural parts.Moreover,the authors describe the high-speed plasma jet GTA(Gas Tungusten Arc)welding process of copper applied to electrical components such as motors.

Corrosion behavior of aluminum/steel dissimilar metals friction stir welding joint

The corrosion performance of aluminum/steel contact and aluminum/steel FSW joint in 3.5 wt.%NaCl solution were analyzed using potentiostatic tests.The post-corrosion microstructure of the welding joint was characterized by optical microscope(OM),scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDS).The results showed that the localized corrosion of FSW joint of Al/steel dissimilar metals mainly initiated at the interface transition zone(ITZ).Precipitation of intermetallic compounds(IMCs)and Fe-rich phase particles in ITZ accelerated the corrosion of the FSW joint.This phenomenon has been attributed to distinct corrosion potentials between IMCs and steel,aluminum base metal.The corrosion resistance sequence of IMCs in ITZ is Fe_(3)Al>FeAl>Fe_(2)Al_(5).

Effect of heating time on bonding interface, atom diffusion and mechanical properties of dissimilar titanium joints produced by thermal self-compressing bonding

Solid-state bonding between pure titanium and Ti6Al4V(TC4)alloy was conducted by a new bonding method named as rigid restraint thermal self-compressing bonding.Effects of heating time on bonding interface,atom diffusion and mechanical properties of the joints were studied.Results show that atom diffusion between pure titanium and TC4 alloy significantly takes place during bonding.The diffusion depths of Al and V in pure titanium side are increased with increasing heating time.Due to the enhancement of atom diffusion,bond quality of the bonding interface is improved along with the increase of heating time.The heating time seems to have little effect on microhardness distribution across the joint.However,the tensile strength and ductility of the joint have close relation to heating time.Prolonging heating time can improve the tensile strength and ductility of the joint,especially the latter.When the heating time increases to 450 s,solid-state joint with good combination of strength and ductility is attained.

Joining of AZ31 and AZ91 Mg alloys by friction stir welding

Two dissimilar magnesium(Mg)alloy sheets,one with low aluminium(AZ31)and another with high aluminium(AZ91)content,were successfully joined by friction stir welding(FSW).The effect of process parameters on the formation of hot cracks was investigated.A sound metallurgical joint was obtained at optimized process parameters(1400 rpm with 25 mm/min feed)which contained fine grains and distributed β(Mg_(17)Al_(12))phase within the nugget zone.An increasing trend in the hardness measurements has also confirmed more amount of dissolution of aluminium within the nugget zone.A sharp interface between nugget zone and thermo mechanical affected zone(TMAZ)was clearly noticed at the AZ31 Mg alloy side(advancing)but not on the AZ91 Mg alloy side(retreating).From the results it can be concluded that FSW can be effectively used to join dissimilar metals,particularly difficult to process metals such as Mg alloys,and hot cracking can be completely eliminated by choosing appropriate process parameters to achieve sound joint.

Microstructure characteristics of dissimilar metal weld between aluminum alloy and brass

Dissimilar metal joining between 5A02 aluminum alloy and H62 brass sheets was conducted by gas tungsten arc welding with Zn-15% Al and Al-12% Si flux-cored filler wires. The microstructure in the weld and distribution of major alloying elements in the intelfacial layer were examined, and the tensile strength of the resultant joints was measured. Pores appeared in the weld made with Zn-15% Al flax-cored filler wire, the interracial layer mainly consisted of AlCu phase, and the specimens fractured through the weld with tensile strength of 129 MPa. When Al-12% Si flux-cored filler wire was used, Cu diffused into the weld and Al2 Cu phase formed, and the specimens fractured along the interfacial layer with tensile strength of 122 MPa.

The effect of zinc coating during joining aluminium to zinc-coated steel by welding-brazing process

An optical sensing system was constructed to study the coating when joining ahtminium alloy to zinc-coated steel by MIG welding-brazing process. The results showed that the coating fused to form a liquid zinc film on surface during process. The Al-Si filler metal reacted with the liquid zinc film to improve the spreadability of filler metal and thus a new method was established to join aluminium alloy and uncoated steel by depositing a mixed layer on steel surface.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of friction welds between TiA l alloy and 40Cr steel rods

Direct friction welding of Ti Al alloy to 40 Cr steel rods was conducted, and the microstructure and mechanical properties of the resultant joints in as-welded and post-weld heat treatment（PWHT） states were investigated. The martensitic transformation occurred and brittle Ti C phase formed near the interface due to C agglomeration, which degraded the joint strength and increased the microhardness at the interface in as-welded state. Feathery and Widmanstatten structure generated near the interface on Ti Al alloy side. After PWHT at 580 °C and 630 °C for 2 h, the sorbite formed and C dispersed at the interface, leading to the increase of the joint strength from 86 MPa in as-welded state to 395 MPa and 330 MPa, respectively. The heat-treated specimen fractured with quasi-cleavage features through the zone 1 mm away from the interface on TiA l alloy side, but the as-welded specimen failed through the interface.

Welding of shape memory alloy to stainless steel for medical occluder

Dissimilar metal joining between NiTi shape memory alloy（SMA） and stainless steel was conducted.A cluster of NiTi SMA wires were first joined with tungsten inert gas（TIG） welding process,then the NiTi SMA TIG weld was welded to a stainless steel pipe with laser spot welding process.The microstructure of the welds was examined with an optical microscope and the elemental distribution in the welds was measured by electron probe microanalysis（EPMA）.The results show that TiC compounds dispersively distribute in the NiTi SMA TIG weld.However,the amount of TiC compounds greatly decreases around the fusion boundary of the laser spot weld between the NiTi SMA and stainless steel.Mutual diffusion between NiTi shape memory alloy and stainless steel happen within a short distance near the fusion boundary,and intermetallic compounds such as Ni3Ti＋（Fe,Ni）Ti appear around the fusion boundary.

Interfacial features of TiAl alloy/316L stainless steel joint brazed with Zr−Cu−Ni−Al amorphous filler metal

TiAl alloy and 316L stainless steel were vacuum-brazed with Zr−50.0Cu−7.1Ni−7.1Al(at.%)amorphous filler metal.The influence of brazing time and temperature on the interfacial microstructure and shear strength of the resultant joints was investigated.The brazed seam consisted of three layers,including two diffusion layers and one residual filler metal layer.The typical microstructure of brazed TiAl alloy/316L stainless steel joint was TiAl alloy substrate/α2-(Ti3Al)/AlCuTi/residual filler metal/Cu9Zr11+Fe23Zr6/Laves-Fe2Zr/α-(Fe,Cr)/316L stainless steel substrate.Discontinuous brittle Fe2Zr layer formed near the interface between the residual filler metal layer andα-(Fe,Cr)layer.The maximum shear strength of brazed joints reached 129 MPa when brazed at 1020℃ for 10 min.The diffusion activation energies ofα2-(Ti3Al)andα-(Fe,Cr)phases were−195.769 and−112.420 kJ/mol,respectively,the diffusion constants for these two phases were 3.639×10^(−6) and 7.502×10^(−10)μm^(2)/s,respectively.Cracks initiated at Fe2Zr layer and propagated into the residual filler metal layer during the shear test.The Laves-Fe2Zr phase existing on the fracture surface suggested the brittle fracture mode of the brazed joints.

Effects of welding parameters and tool geometry on properties of 3003-H18 aluminum alloy to mild steel friction stir weld

Defect-free butt joints of 3003 Al alloy to mild steel plates with 3 mm thickness were performed using friction stir welding （FSW）. A heat input model reported for similar FSW was simplified and used to investigate the effects of welding speed, rotation speed and tool shoulder diameter on the microstructure and properties of dissimilar welds. The comparison between microstructure, intermetallics and strength of welds shows the good conformity between the results and the calculated heat input factor （HIF） achieved from the model. The joint strength is controlled by Al/Fe interface at HIF of 0.2-0.4, by TMAZ at HIF of 0.4-0.8 and by intermetallics and/or defects at HIF0.8.

Friction-based riveting technique for AZ31 magnesium alloy

A new friction-based riveting technique, Rotating Hammer Riveting(RHR), is demonstrated to fully form AZ31 Mg rivet heads in a mere 0.23 s. Heat and pressure generated through severe plastic deformation during the process was sufficient to form the Mg rivet head without the need for a pre-heating operation. Due to preliminary twinning and followed by dynamic recrystallization, AZ31 Mg grains in the rivet head were refined during RHR, which enhance the formability of Mg rivets by triggering grain boundary sliding and reducing plastic anisotropy of Mg. In addition, RHR joints showed a metallurgical bond between the rivet head and top AZ31 Mg sheet, which eliminates a significant pathway for corrosion.

Joining dissimilar metal of Ti and CoCrMo using directed energy deposition

We report laser cladding of pure titanium on a CoCrMo alloy using directed energy deposition.Using electron microscopy,the microstructural evolution upon varying the process parameters,especially laser power and powder feed rate,was investigated in relation to crack formation.Cladding layers showing dilution rates of more than 5%contained cracks due to the formation of the brittle Co_(2)Ti intermetallic phase.The observed cracks could be ascribed to a mismatch in thermal expansion and a resulting stress of more than 440 MPa acting on the Co_(2)Ti phase,as determined by density functional theory and nanoindentation.Furthermore,an excess laser energy caused chemical inhomogeneity and unmelted Ti powder particles,while a deficient laser energy resulted in a lack of fusion.Neither cracks nor partially melted powders were observed for a powder feed rate of 3 g/min and a laser power of 225–300 W,for which the dilution rate was minimized to less than 5%.For such samples,the cladding layers comprised pureα-Ti and a uniform CoT i interface with Co_(2)Ti islands.

Fatigue Crack Growth Behavior of Different Zones in an Annealed Automatic Gas Tungsten Arc Weld Joint of TA16 and TC4 Titanium Alloys

Based on the investigated microstructure of different zones in the annealed automatic gas tungsten arc weld joint of TA16 and TC4 titanium alloys,the mechanical property of them was assessed under fatigue crack growth rate tests.For evaluation of fatigue crack growth rate,three points bending specimens were used.The correlation between the range of stress intensity factor and crack growth rate was determined in different zones of the annealed weld joint.Fatigue crack growth rates were obviously different in different zones of weld joint of dissimilar titanium alloys,due to their different microstructures.Scanning electron microscope examinations were conducted on the fracture surface in order to determine the relevant fracture mechanisms and crack growth mechanisms with respect to the details of microstructure.

Measurement of Collision Conditions in Magnetic Pulse Welding Processes

MPW （magnetic pulse welding） is a solid state joining technology that allows for the generation of strong metallic bonds, even between dissimilar metals. Due to the absence of external heat, critical intermetallic phases can largely be avoided. In this process, Lorentz forces are utilized for the rapid acceleration of at least one of the two metallic joining partners leading to the controlled high velocity impact between them. The measurement of the collision conditions and their targeted manipulation are the key factors of a successful process development. Optical measuring techniques are preferred, since they are not influenced by the prevalent strong magnetic field in the vicinity of the working coil. In this paper, the characteristic high velocity impact flash during MPW was monitored and evaluated using phototransistors in order to measure the time of the impact. The results are in good accordance with the established PDV （photon Doppler velocimetry） and show a good repeatability. Furthermore, the collision front velocity was investigated using adapted part geometries within a series of tests. This velocity component is one of the key parameters in MPW; its value decreases along the weld zone. With the help of this newly introduced measurement tool, the magnetic pressure distribution or the joining geometry can be adjusted more effectively.

Direct joining of oxygen-free copper and carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic by friction lap joining

Oxygen-flee copper （Cu） was successfully joined to carbon-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic （CFRTP, polyamide 6 with 20wt% carbon fiber addition） by friction lap joining （FLJ） at joining speeds of 200-1600 mm/min with a constant rotation rate of 1500 rpm and a nominal plunge depth of 0.9 ram. It is the first time to report the joining of CFRTP to Cu by FLJ. As the joining speed increased, the tensile shear force （TSF） of joints increased first, and decreased thereafter. The maximum TSF could reach 2.3 kN （ 15 mm in width）. Hydrogen bonding formed between the amide group of CFRTP and the thin Cu20 layer on the Cu surface, which mainly contributed to the joint bonding. The influence factors of the TSF of the joints at different joining speeds were discussed. The TSF was mainly affected by the joining area, the degradation of the plastic matrix and the number and the size of bubbles. As the joining speed increased, the influence factors varied as follows： the joining area increased first and then decreased; the degra- dation of the plastic matrix and the number and the size of bubbles decreased. The maximum TSF was the comprehensive result of the relatively large joining area, small degradation of the plastic matrix and small number and sizes of bubbles.

Comparative Study of Bypass-Current MIG Welded–Brazed Aluminum/Galvanized Steel and Aluminum/Stainless Steel

A bypass-current metal inert-gas welding-brazing technology has been developed to join aluminum/galvanized steel and aluminum/stainless steel. Microstructure, intermetallic compounds and hardness distribution of the joints were studied by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis and microhardness tests. Comparative study on both types of joints was carried out. During aluminum to galvanized steel assembling, finer seam was obtained under a more stable process. A uniform interfacial reaction layer with a thickness of 2-4 μm was formed. During aluminum to stainless steel assembling, an uneven interfacial reaction layer with a thickness of 5-45μm was formed. Intermetallic compounds at the interface of aluminum/galvanized steel were identified as Fe-Al- Si-Zn complex phases, while Fe-Al-Cr-Ni complex phases were found at the aluminum/stainless steel interface. Microhardness of interfacial layer increases rapidly within reaction layer due to possible brittle intermetallic compounds.

CuTiNiZrV Amorphous Alloy Foils for Vacuum Brazing of TiAl Alloy to 40Cr Steel

Vacuum brazing of TiAl alloy to 40Cr steel sheets was conducted with newly developed CuTiNiZrV amorphous foils. It was found that a diffusion layer,filler metal and reaction layer existed in the brazed seam. The diffusion layer in the joint brazed with Cu43.75Ti37.5Ni6.25Zr6.25V6.25(at.%) foil was flat and thin,containing Ti19Al6 and Ti2Cu intermetallic compounds; however,the diffusion layer brazed with Cu37.5Ti25Ni12.5Zr12.5V12.5 foil was uneven with bulges,consisting of essentially Ti-based solute solution. The foil with 12.5 at.% V showed inferior spreadability compared to that with 6.25 at.% V at brazing temperature. However,fracture happened along the diffusion layer with 6.25 at.% V foil due to the formation of brittle intermetallic phases,but the joints brazed with 12.5 at.% V foil failed through the TiAl substrate. These results show that designing amorphous alloy with less Ti and more V for brazing TiAl alloy to steel is appropriate.