Effect of intermetallic compounds on the fracture behavior of dissimilar friction stir welding joints of Mg and Al alloys

Joining Mg to Al is challenging because of the deterioration of mechanical properties caused by the formation of intermetallic compounds(IMCs) at the Mg/Al interface. This study aims to improve the mechanical properties of welded samples by preventing the fracture location at the Mg/Al interface. Friction stir welding was performed to join Mg to Al at different rotational and travel speeds. The microstructure of the welded samples showed the IMCs layers containing Al12Mg17(γ) and Al3Mg2(β) at the welding zone with a thickness(< 3.5 μm). Mechanical properties were mainly affected by the thickness of the IMCs, which was governed by welding parameters. The highest tensile strength was obtained at 600 r/min and 40 mm/min with a welding efficiency of 80%. The specimens could fracture along the boundary at the thermo-mechanically affected zone in the Mg side of the welded joint.

Effects of heat treatment on the intermetallic compounds and mechanical properties of the stainless steel 321–aluminum 1230 explosive-welding interface

The effects of heat treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of intermetallic compounds in the interface of stainless steel 321 explosively bonded to aluminum 1230 were investigated in this study. Experimental investigations were performed by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and microhardness and shear tensile strength testing. Prior to heat treatment, increasing the stand-off distance between samples from 1 to 2.5 mm caused their interface to become wavy and the thickness of intermetallic layers to increase from 3.5 to 102.3 μm. The microhardness increased from HV 766 in the sample prepared at a stand-off distance of 1 mm to HV 927 in the sample prepared at a stand-off distance of 2.5 mm; in addition, the sample strength increased from 103.2 to 214.5 MPa. Heat treatment at 450°C for 6 h increased the thickness of intermetallic compound layers to 4.4 and 118.5 μm in the samples prepared at stand-off distances of 1 and 2.5 mm, respectively. These results indicated that increasing the duration and temperature of heat treatment decreased the microhardness and strength of the interface of explosively welded stainless steel 321-Al 1230 and increased the thickness of the intermetallic region.

Research on laser-arc hybrid welding technology for long-distance pipeline construction

In recent years, the research on pipeline laser-arc hybrid welding technology has been the important and difficult in the field of welding all over the world. China Petroleum Pipeline Research Institute Co. Ltd. has firstly developed pipeline laser-arc hybrid welding system in China, and executed the welding tests based on X70/X80 steel. Preliminary experiment results showed that hybrid welding could meet the requirements of related standards such as API1104,ASME,etc., the mechanical properties of girth seam are qualified in the case that there were no internal defects. With the development of high-power fiber laser and the continuous improvement of welding equipment, laser-arc hybrid welding technology for pipeline field welding will be available soon.

Beam oscillating parameters on pore inhibition,recrystallization and grain boundary characteristics of laser-arc hybrid welded AZ31 magnesium alloy

Oscillating laser-arc hybrid welding of AZ31B magnesium alloy was carried out,the effects of beam oscillation parameters on pore inhibition,microstructure,grain boundary characteristics and tensile properties were investigated.The results showed that the pore formation can be inhibited with oscillating frequency higher than 75 Hz and radius smaller than 0.5 mm.The columnar grains neighboring the fusion line can be broken by the beam oscillation behavior,while the grain growth was promoted with the increase of frequency or radius.It should be noted that the coincidence site lattice(CSL)boundaries were mainlyΣ13b andΣ29 boundaries,which were contributed by{10■2}tensile twins and{11■2}compression twins,respectively.The total fraction of CSL boundaries reached maximum at radius of 0.25 mm and frequency of 75 Hz,which was also confirmed as the optimized parameters.In this case,the elongation rate increased up to 13.2%,12.8%higher than that of the weld without beam oscillation.Finally,the pore formation and inhibition mechanisms were illustrated according to the state of melt flow and keyhole formation,the abnormal growth was discussed basing on secondary recrystallization,and the relationship among the pore formation,grain size,boundary characteristics and weld toughness were finally established.

Microstructure homogeneity and mechanical properties of laser-arc hybrid welded AZ31B magnesium alloy

Laser-arc hybrid welding of AZ31B magnesium alloy was carried out,the effects of welding parameters on weld formation,microstructure homogeneity and mechanical properties were investigated.The results showed that laser-arc hybrid welding was beneficial to improve the weld formation of magnesium alloy by inhibiting the defect of undercut and pores.The weld microstructure was mainly columnar grains neighboring the fusion line and equiaxed grains at the weld center.It was interesting that the grain size at the upper arc zone was smaller than that at the lower laser zone,with the difference mainly affected by laser power rather than welding current and welding speed.The welding parameters were optimized as laser power of 3.5 kW,welding current of 100 A and welding speed of 1.5 m/min.In this case,the weld was free of undercut and pores,and the tensile strength and elongation rate reached 252 MPa and 11.2%,respectively.Finally,the microstructure homogeneity was illustrated according to the heat distribution,and the evolution law of tensile properties was discussed basing on the weld formation and microstructure characteristics.

Microstructure and mechanical performance of AZ31/6061 lap joints welded by laser-TIG hybrid welding with Zn-Al alloy filler metal

A series of Zn-xAl(x=0-35 wt.%)alloy filler metals were designed to join AZ31 Mg alloy to 6061 Al alloy by laser-TIG hybrid welding.The effect of Al content on the wettability of filler metals,microstructure evolution and strength of joint was investigated.The results indicated that the strength of joints was improved with the increase of Al content in filler metals.When Zn-15Al filler was used,the ultimate fracture load reached the maximum of 1475.3 N/cm,which was increased by 28%than that with pure Zn filler.The reason is that the Al element acts as a"reaction depressant"in filler metal,which contributes to inhibiting the dissolution of Mg base metal and the Mg-Zn reaction.The addition of appropriate quantity of Al element promoted the precipitation of Al-rich solid solution instead of Zn solid solution.The MgZn_(2) IMCs have lower lattice mismatch with Al solid solution than Zn solid solution,thus the strength of joints is improved.However,the excessive addition of Al caused the formation of brittle Mg32(Al,Zn)49 ternary compounds,leading to the deterioration of joint performance.

Microstructure and properties of laser-arc hybrid welding of high-strength low-alloy steel

Laser-arc hybrid welding has the characteristics of optimal surface formation and greater penetration;it is extensively used in the welding of plates of medium thickness.However, for hybrid welding of lasers, the welding seam cooling rate is rapid;thus, the welding seam has a higher tendency to significantly harden, which has a negative impact on the weld quality of the high-strength low-alloy(HSLA) steel plates of medium thickness.In this study, laser-arc hybrid welding is performed on the BG890 QL HSLA steel produced by Baoshan Iron & Steel Co.,Ltd.,and the quenching tendency of the welded structure is examined.The results demonstrate that the specific growth direction of the columnar crystal structure of the laser-arc hybrid welded joint is obvious.However, at the center and top of the welded seam, there are equiaxed crystals.The impact properties at room temperature and-40 ℃ of the weld area are 58.0 J and 40.0 J,respectively, and those of the heat-affected zone(HAZ) are 147.0 J and 66.5 J,respectively.The impact performance can meet these requirements.Laser-arc hybrid welding of HSLA steel can yield strong and durable welds and the HAZ structure to meet the requirements of engineering applications.

Numerical simulation of temperature field in laser-arc hybrid welding of wear-resistant steel

Using ABAQUS software and cylindrical ellipsoid and body heat sources with a peak-heat-flux- attenuation function, a finite element model of the temperature field in the laser-arc hybrid welding of 4.5-mm BW300TP wear-resistant steel is proposed. The proposed model considers convection, radiation, molten pool flow, and heat conduction effect on temperature. A comparison of the simulation and actual welding test results confirms the reliability of the model. This welding heat-process model can provide the cooling rate at any position in the heat affected zone （HAZ） and can be used as a reference for the analysis of material properties and for process optimization.

Microstructures and properties of welded joint of aluminum alloy to galvanized steel by Nd:YAG laser + MIG arc hybrid brazing-fusion welding

According to the differences in melting point between aluminum alloy and steel, 6013-T4 aluminum alloy was joined to galvanized steel by large spot Nd：YAG laser ＋ MIG arc hybrid brazing-fusion welding with ER4043（AlSi5） filler wire. The microstructures and mechanical properties of the brazed-fusion welded joint were investigated. The joint is divided into two parts of fusion weld and brazed seam. There is a zinc-rich zone at fusion weld toe, which consists of α（Al）-Zn solid solution and Al-Zn eutectic. The brazed seam is the Fe-Al intermetallic compounds （IMCs） layer of 2-4μm in thickness, and the IMCs include FeAl2, Fe2Al5 and Fe4Al13. FeAl2 and Fe2Al5 are located in the compact reaction layer near the steel side, and Fe4Al13 with tongue shape or sawtooth shape grows towards the fusion weld. The tensile strength of the joint firstly increases and then decreases as the welding current and laser power increase, the highest tensile strength can be up to 247.3 MPa, and the fracture usually occurs at fusion zone of the fusion weld. The hardness is the highest at the brazed seam because of hard Fe-Al IMCs, and gradually decreases along the fusion weld and galvanized steel, respectively.

Materials flow and phase transformation in friction stir welding of Al 6013/Mg

Material flow and phase transformation were studied at the interface of dissimilar joint between Al 6013 and Mg, produced by stir friction welding （FSW） experiments. Defect-free weld was obtained when aluminum and magnesium were placed in the advancing side and retreating side respectively and the tool was placed 1 mm off the weld centerline into the aluminum side. In order to understand the material flow during FSW, steel shots were implanted as indexes into the welding path. After welding, using X-ray images, secondary positions of the steel shots were evaluated. It was revealed that steel shots implanted in advancing side were penetrated from the advancing side into the retreating side, whereas the shots implanted in the retreating side remained in the retreating side, without penetrating into the advancing side. The welded specimens were also heat treated. The effects of heat treatment on the mechanical properties of the welds and the formation of new intermetallic layers were investigated. Two intermetallic compounds, Al3Mg2 and Al12Mg17, were formed sequentially at Al6013/Mg interface.

Friction stir welding of aluminum to copper—An overview

Components made by joining different materials are required in various engineering applications.Fabrication of suchcomponents is a challenging task due to the vast difference in mechanical,thermal and electrical properties of the materials beingused.Friction stir welding(FSW)is capable of joining dissimilar materials such as aluminum(Al)and copper(Cu)and thereforeresearchers have used this novel process for dissimilar joining.Consequently,several works pertaining to dissimilar joining,specifically Al?Cu,are available in the literature but they are scattered in different sources,which makes the task of gatheringinformation about dissimilar FSW of Al?Cu cumbersome.This work has been written with an aim to provide all pertinentinformation related to dissimilar FSW of Al?Cu at one place to ease the problems of researchers.It comprehensively covers andsummarizes the topics such as the effect of tool design and geometry,FSW process parameters,FSW strategies on mechanicalproperties,microstructure and formation of defects during dissimilar FSW of Al?Cu.In addition,it also presents and discussesseveral variants of dissimilar FSW of Al?Cu.Finally,this work not only puts forth major findings of the previous researchers but alsosuggests future recommendations for dissimilar FSW of Al?Cu.

Application and development in railway vehicles trend of new welding technologies manufacturing industry

This paper introduces the application of new automatic welding technologies in railway vehicles manufacturing industry, and presents the state of art of advanced friction stir welding technology, semi-penetration laser welding technology and laser-arc hybrid welding technology in manufacturing aluminum alloy body shell, stainless steel body shell and bogie. This paper also analyzes the application and development trend of three welding technologies in the future.

Dissimilar ultrasonic spot welding of Mg-Al and Mg-high strength low alloy steel

Sound dissimilar lap joints were achieved via ultrasonic spot welding （USW）, which is a solid-state joining technique. The addition of Sn interlayer during USW effectively blocked the formation of brittle Al12Mg17 intermetallic compound in the Mg-Al dissimilar joints without interlayer, and led to the presence of a distinctive composite-like Sn and Mg2Sn eutectic structure in both Mg- Al and Mg-high strength low alloy （HSLA） steel joints. The lap shear strength of both types of dissimilar joints with a Sn interlayer was significantly higher than that of the corresponding dissimilar joints without interlayer. Failure during the tensile lap shear tests occurred mainly in the mode of cohesive failure in the Mg- Al dissimilar joints and in the mode of partial cohesive failure and partial nugget pull-out in the Mg-HSLA steel dissimilar joints.

Preparation of bimetallic nano-composite by dissimilar friction stir welding of copper to aluminum alloy

Butt friction stir welding between pure copper and AA5754 alloy was carried out.Reinforcing SiC nanoparticles were utilized in friction stir welded(FSW)joints to decline the harmful effects of intermetallic compounds.Tensile tests,micro-hardness experiments,scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis were applied to studying the properties of welded joints.The joints with a travel speed of 50 mm/min and a rotation speed of 1000 r/min showed the best results.The presence of nano-sized SiC particles reduced the grain size of aluminum and copper in the stir zone(SZ)from 38.3 and 12.4μm to 12.9 and 5.1μm,respectively.The tensile strength of the joint in the presence of reinforcing SiC nano-particles was~240 MPa,which is~90%of that for the aluminum base.Furthermore,the highest microhardness of the weld zone was significantly increased from HV 160 to HV 320 upon the addition of SiC nano-particles.The results also showed that raising the heat generation in FSW joints increased the amount of Al_(4)Cu_(9) and Al_(2)Cu intermetallic compounds.

Interfacial Characterization and Mechanical Property of Ti/Cu Clad Sheet Produced by Explosive Welding and Annealing

It was aim to investigate the interfacial microstructure and shear performance of Ti/Cu clad sheet produced by explosive welding and annealing. The experimental results demonstrate that the alternate distribution of interfacial collision and vortex of flyer layer forms in the interface a few of solidification structure. TEM confirms that the interfacial interlayer contains obvious lattice distortion structure and intermetallic compounds. It interprets the explosive welding as the interfacial deformation and thermal diffusion process between dissimilar metals. The interfacial shear strength is very close to the Cu matrix strength, which is determined by the mixture of the mechanical bonding and metallurgical bonding. Several cracks exist on the shear fracture owing to the intermetallic compound in the interfacial solidifi cation structure and also the probable welding inclusion.

Microstructural characterization and mechanical properties of aluminum 6061-T6 plates welded with copper insert plate(Al/Cu/Al) using friction stir welding

Friction stir welding was used to join two aluminum 6061-T6 plates with an insert of a pure copper plate(Al/Cu/Al),and then the influence of the copper insert on the joint performance was studied.The dissimilar welding results were also compared with AA 6061 friction stir welds produced without copper insert(Al/Al).Optical and scanning electron microscopes were used for the microstructural observations of the welded samples.X-ray diffraction analysis was used to analyze phase component of the Al/Cu/Al specimen.A defect-free joint was observed for the Al/Cu/Al joint at a rotational speed of 950 r/min and a welding speed of 50 mm/min.Microstructural observation of the weld nugget zone(WNZ)demonstrates the formation of composite-like structure which promotes metallurgical bonding of aluminum and copper.XRD results show the formation of intermetallic compounds(IMCs),such as Al4Cu9 and Al2Cu.Furthermore,it was observed that the hardness of the weld with the Cu insert plate is higher than that of other samples due to more dislocation density and a distinct rise in hardness values was observed due to the presence of IMCs.The ultimate tensile strength of the joint with copper insert plate is higher than that of the other sample due to the strong metallurgical bonding between Al and Cu.

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.

An innovative joint interface design for reducing intermetallic compounds and improving joint strength of thick plate friction stir welded Al/Mg joints

Friction stir welding of dissimilar Al/Mg thick plates still faces severe challenges, such as poor formability, formation of thick intermetallic compounds, and low joint strength. In this work, two joint configurations, namely inclined butt(conventional butt) and serrated interlocking(innovative butt), are proposed for improving weld formation and joint quality. The results show that a continuous and straight intermetallic compound layer appears at the Mg side interface in conventional butt joint, and the maximum average thickness reaches about 60.1 μm.Additionally, the Mg side interface also partially melts, forming a eutectic structure composed of Mg solid solution and Al_(12)Mg_(17) phase.For the innovative butt joint, the Mg side interface presents the curved interlocking feature, and intermetallic compounds can be reduced to less than 10 μm. The joint strength of innovative butt joint is more than three times that of conventional butt joint. This is due to the interlocking effect and thin intermetallic compounds in the innovative joint.

Effect of process parameters on interfacial microstructure and mechanical properties of Al/Cu friction stir lap welding joints

In this study,friction stir lap welding(FSLW)was performed for the welding test of 6061 aluminium alloy and T2 pure copper.The effect of process parameters containing rotation rate and travel speed on interfacial microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of Al/Cu dissimilar joints were explored.The experiments were carried out under the rotation rates of 600,900 and 1200 r/min and with the travel speeds of 30,70 and 100 mm/min.The characteristic of interface transition zones(ITZs)and the species of intermetallic compounds(IMCs)were investigated.The Al/Cu interface showed a layered structure composed of Al-Cu IMCs,which will affect the mechanical property.The layer consisting of Al2Cu was formed at lower heat input,and as heat input increased the Al4Cu9 phase started to form.Excessive heat input will increase the thickness of the interface and raise the brittleness of the joints.The thickness of the IMCs layers changed from0.89μm to 3.96μm as the heat input increased.The maximum value of tensile shear loading of 4.65 kN was obtained at the rotation rate of900 r/min and travel speed of 100 mm/min with the interface thickness of 2.89μm.The fracture mode of the joints was a mix of ductile and brittle fracture.

Interface microstructure and formation mechanism of ultrasonic spot welding for Al-Ti dissimilar metals

The present study focuses on interface microstructure and joint formation.AA6061 aluminum alloy(Al)and commercial pure titanium(Ti)joints were welded by ultrasonic spot welding(USW).The welding energy was 1100-3200 J.The Al-Ti joint appearance and interface microstructure were observed mainly via optical microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy.Results indicated that a good joint can be achieved only with proper welding energy of 2150 J.No significant intermetallic compound(IMC)was found under all conditions.The high energy barriers of Al-Ti and difficulties in diffusion were the main reasons for the absence of IMC according to kinetic analysis.The heat input is crucial for the material plastic flow and bonding area,which plays an important role in the joint formation.