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Experimental determination of 3D crack propagation scenario in resistance spot welds of a martensitic stainless steel

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Abstract

The development of high-performance automotive steels involves increasingly complex chemistries and heat treating sequences, to produce stronger and lighter parts. To help control the resistance spot weldability of these new alloys, fracture mechanisms that control the weld strength, as well as the crack propagation scenario, must be determined. However, in-situ analysis of spot welds during cross tensile (XT) tests is very difficult due to the configuration of the assembly. This work focused on homogeneous welding of AISI 410-type martensitic stainless steel sheets, using two different welding cycles. The two types of welds failed in partial interfacial failure (PIF) mode but exhibited contrasting XT strength. We used high temperature oxidation of partially fractured spot weld specimens to investigate the 3D crack propagation scenario during XT tests. Measurements of crack front advance and fracture surfaces observations revealed the different steps occurring during PIF. The connection between pop-ins and fracture events was investigated. It was shown that the load–displacement curve was insensitive to significant crack propagation and deviation within the fusion zone (FZ). The method described in the article enabled the comparison of failure scenario of both types of weld. These results highlight the potential of the approach for the investigation of fracture behaviour in contribution to the study of the link between weld microstructure and strength.

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The data supporting the present findings are not shared because they are part of industrial development.

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Funding

This work was supported by the French National Association for Research and Technology (ANRT) under CIFRE Grant No. 2018/0968.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. MAT-Centre des Matériaux, MINES ParisTech, PSL University, Evry, France

    Constance Chanh & Anne-Françoise Gourgues-Lorenzon

  2. APERAM Research Center, APERAM Stainless Steel, Isbergues, France

    Constance Chanh, Anaïs Gourment & Betrand Petit

  3. Ecole Nationales Supérieure des Mines de Nancy, Nancy, France

    Anaïs Gourment

Authors
  1. Constance Chanh
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  2. Anaïs Gourment
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  3. Betrand Petit
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  4. Anne-Françoise Gourgues-Lorenzon
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Correspondence to Constance Chanh.

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Chanh, C., Gourment, A., Petit, B. et al. Experimental determination of 3D crack propagation scenario in resistance spot welds of a martensitic stainless steel. Int J Fract 235, 215–230 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10704-022-00626-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10704-022-00626-2

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