Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Thermal Modeling of Resistance Spot Welding and Prediction of Weld Microstructure

  • Published:
Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The microstructure of nuggets in resistance spot welding can be influenced by the many variables involved. This study aimed at examining such a relationship and, consequently, put forward an analytical model to predict the thermal history and microstructure of the nugget zone. Accordingly, a number of numerical simulations and experiments were conducted and the accuracy of the model was assessed. The results of this assessment revealed that the proposed analytical model could accurately predict the cooling rate in the nugget and heat-affected zones. Moreover, both analytical and numerical models confirmed that sheet thickness and electrode-sheet interface temperature were the most important factors influencing the cooling rate at temperatures lower than about T l/2. Decomposition of austenite is one of the most important transformations in steels occurring over this temperature range. Therefore, an easy-to-use map was designed against these parameters to predict the weld microstructure.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. H. Zhang and J. Senkara: Resistance Welding: Fundamentals and Applications, Taylor & Francis, CRC Press, London, 2005, pp. 1–17.

    Google Scholar 

  2. M. Pouranvari and S.P.H. Marashi: Sci. Technol. Weld. Join., 2013, vol. 18, pp. 361–403.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Z. Han, J.E. Indacochea, C.H. Chen, and S. Bhat: Weld. J., 1993, vol. 72, pp. 209s–216s.

    Google Scholar 

  4. J.E. Gould: Weld. J., 1987, vol. 66, pp. 1s–11s.

    Google Scholar 

  5. A. Joaquin, A.N.A. Elliott, and C. Jiang: Weld. J., 2007, vol. 86, pp. 24–27.

    Google Scholar 

  6. H. Eisazadeh, M. Hamedi, and A. Halvaee: Mater. Des., 2010, vol. 31, pp. 149–57.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. N.T. Williams and J.D. Parker: Int. Mater. Rev., 2004, vol. 49, pp. 45–75.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. X. Wan, Y. Wang, and P. Zhang: J. Mater. Process. Technol., 2014, vol. 214, pp. 2723–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. C.L. Tsai, O.A. Jammal, and D.W. Dickinson: Weld. J., 1992, vol. 71, pp. 47s–54s.

    Google Scholar 

  10. J.A. Khan, L. Xu, and Y.-J. Chao: Sci. Technol. Weld. Join., 1999, vol. 4, pp. 201–07.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. D. Richard, M. Fafard, R. Lacroix, P. Clery, and Y. Maltais: J. Mater. Process. Technol., 2003, vol. 132, pp. 119–31.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. E. Feulvarch, V. Robin, and J.M. Bergheau: J. Mater. Process. Technol., 2004, vol. 153, pp. 436–41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. M. Eshraghi, M.A. Tschopp, M.A. Zaeem, and S.D. Felicelli: Mater. Des., 2014, vol. 56, pp. 387–97.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. J.E. Gould, S.P. Khurana, and T. Li: Weld. J., 2006, vol. 85, pp. 111s–116s.

    Google Scholar 

  15. H. Zhigang, W. Yuanxun, L. Chunzhi, and C. Chuanyao: Acta Mech. Solida Sinica, 2006, vol. 19, pp. 86–94.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. W.L. Chuko and J.E. Gould: Weld. J., 2002, vol. 81, pp. 1s–7s.

    Google Scholar 

  17. M.I. Khan, M.L. Kuntz, E. Biro, and Y. Zhou: Metall. Mater. Trans. A, 2008, vol. 49, pp. 1629–37.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Y.S. Jong, Y.K. Lee, D.C. Kim, M.J. Kang, I.S. Hwang, and W.B. Lee: Metall. Mater. Trans. A, 2011, vol. 52, pp. 1330–33.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was financially supported by SAIPA Corporation of Iran (Tehran).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Materials Engineering, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, 65178-38695, Iran

    M. Sheikhi, M. Valaee Tale & Arash Fattah-Alhosseini

  2. SAIPA Corporation, Tehran, Iran

    GH. R. Usefifar

Authors
  1. M. Sheikhi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. Valaee Tale
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. GH. R. Usefifar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Arash Fattah-Alhosseini
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. Sheikhi.

Additional information

Manuscript submitted February 8, 2017.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Sheikhi, M., Valaee Tale, M., Usefifar, G.R. et al. Thermal Modeling of Resistance Spot Welding and Prediction of Weld Microstructure. Metall Mater Trans A 48, 5415–5423 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11661-017-4314-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11661-017-4314-4

Search

Navigation