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Investigations on the microstructure and mechanical properties of laser welded dissimilar galvanized steel–aluminum joints

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Abstract

In this study, galvanized high-strength steel and aluminum alloy sheets were laser-welded in zero-gap lap joint configuration. In order to determine the influences of the heat input levels, microstructural and mechanical properties of the joints were investigated. The weld bead geometry, microstructure, and intermetallic phases at the interface of welded joints were investigated using an optical microscope and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) at different heat input levels. Mechanical properties and microhardness distribution of the welded joints were examined according to the weld bead dimension. The results revealed that there is a correlation between the weld seam geometry and intermetallic phase formation. At relatively high heat input level, the penetration depth increased, and thick Al-rich intermetallic layer was observed at the interface of the weld seam, which deteriorated the tensile strength of the joint. It has been found that without the need for any additional precaution, the thickness of the IMC layer can be limited to 5–15 μm when the optimum welding parameters were conducted. The experimental results showed that with limited heat input and penetration depths, up to 108.7-N/mm tensile strength could be achieved and fracture initiated at the weld seam–steel interface.

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Funding

The authors acknowledge the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBITAK) for the support by BIDEB 2211-A National Scholarship Programme for supporting this research. And a part of this research was supported by the IPG Photonics Eurasia at Istanbul, Turkey.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechatronics Engineering, Bursa Technical University, 16310, Yıldırım, Bursa, Turkey

    Celalettin Yuce

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Bursa Uludag University, 16059, Bursa, Görükle, Turkey

    Fatih Karpat & Nurettin Yavuz

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  1. Celalettin Yuce
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Correspondence to Celalettin Yuce.

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Yuce, C., Karpat, F. & Yavuz, N. Investigations on the microstructure and mechanical properties of laser welded dissimilar galvanized steel–aluminum joints. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 104, 2693–2704 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-019-04154-7

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