Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Influence of Laser Power on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of a Laser Welded-Brazed Mg Alloy/Ni-Coated Steel Dissimilar Joint

  • Published:
Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this work, we describe a method to improve the bonding of an immiscible Mg/steel system using Ni as an interlayer by coating it on the steel surface. Laser welding-brazing of AZ31B Mg alloy to Ni-coated Q235 steel using Mg-based filler was performed in a lap configuration. The influence of laser power on the weld characteristics, including joint appearance, formation of interfacial reaction layers and mechanical properties was investigated. The results indicated that the presence of the Ni-coating promoted the wetting of the liquid filler metal on the steel surface. A thermal gradient along the interface led to the formation of heterogeneous interfacial reaction layers. When using a low laser power of 1600 W, the reaction products were an FeAl phase in the direct laser irradiation zone, an AlNi phase close to the intermediate zone and mixtures of AlNi phase and an (α-Mg + Mg2Ni) eutectic structure near the interface at the seam head zone. For high powers of more than 2000 W, the FeAl phase grew thicker in the direct laser irradiation zone and a new Fe(Ni) transition layer formed at the interface of the intermediate zone and the seam head zone. However, the AlNi phase and (α-Mg + Mg2Ni) eutectic structure were scattered at the Mg seam. All the joints fractured at the fusion zone, indicating that the improved interface was not the weakest joint region. The maximum tensile-shear strength of the Mg/Ni-coated steel joint reached 190 N/mm, and the joint efficiency was 70% with respect to the Mg alloy base metal.

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
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17
Fig. 18
Fig. 19

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. E. Ghali, W. Dietzel, and K. Kainer, General and Localized Corrosion of Magnesium Alloys: A Critical Review, J. Mater. Eng. Perform., 2013, 22, p 2875–2891

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. C.W. Tan, B. Chen, X.G. Song, L. Zhou, S.H. Meng, L.Q. Li, and J.C. Feng, Influence of Al Interlayer Thickness on Laser Welding of Mg/Steel, Weld. J., 2016, 95, p 384s–394s

    Google Scholar 

  3. Y. Wei, J. Li, J. Xiong, F. Huang, and F. Zhang, Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of Magnesium Alloy and Stainless Steel Weld-Joint Made by Friction Stir Lap Welding, Mater. Des., 2012, 33, p 111–114

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. L. Liu, L. Xiao, J.C. Feng, Y.H. Tian, S.Q. Zhou, and Y. Zhou, The Mechanisms of Resistance Spot Welding of Magnesium to Steel, Metall. Mater. Trans. A, 2010, 10, p 2651–2661

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. L. Liu, L. Xiao, J. Feng, L. Li, S. Esmaeili, and Y. Zhou, Bonding of Immiscible Mg and Fe Via a Nanoscale Fe2Al5 Transition Layer, Scr. Mater., 2011, 65, p 982–985

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. W. Elthalabawy and T. Khan, Liquid Phase Bonding of 316L Stainless Steel to AZ31 Magnesium Alloy, J. Mater. Sci. Technol., 2011, 27, p 22–28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. W.M. Elthalabawy and T.I. Khan, Eutectic Bonding of Austenitic Stainless Steel 316L to Magnesium Alloy AZ31 Using Copper Interlayer, Int. J. Adv. Manuf. Tech., 2010, 55, p 235–241

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. W.M. Elthalabawy and T.I. Khan, Microstructural Development of Diffusion-Brazed Austenitic Stainless Steel to Magnesium Alloy Using a Nickel Interlayer, Mater. Charact., 2010, 61, p 703–712

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. R. Cao, J.Y. Yu, J.H. Chen, and P.C. Wang, Feasibility of Cold-Metal-Transfer Welding Magnesium AZ31 to Galvanized Mild Steel, Weld. J., 2013, 92, p 274s–282s

    Google Scholar 

  10. X.Y. Wang, D.Q. Sun, and Y. Sun, Influence of Cu-Interlayer Thickness on Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of MIG-Welded Mg-Steel Joints, J. Mater. Eng. Perform., 2016, 25, p 910–920

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. L. Liu and X. Qi, Effects of Copper Addition on Microstructure and Strength of the Hybrid Laser-TIG Welded Joints Between Magnesium Alloy and Mild Steel, J. Mater. Sci., 2009, 44, p 5725–5731

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. L. Liu, X. Qi, and Z. Wu, Microstructural Characteristics of Lap Joint Between Magnesium Alloy and Mild Steel with and Without the Addition of Sn Element, Mater. Lett., 2010, 64, p 89–92

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. X. Qi and G. Song, Interfacial Structure of the Joints Between Magnesium Alloy and Mild Steel with Nickel as Interlayer by Hybrid Laser-TIG Welding, Mater. Des., 2010, 31, p 605–609

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. A.M. Nasiri, L. Li, S.H. Kim, Y. Zhou, D.C. Weckman, and T.C. Nguyen, Microstructure and Properties of Laser Brazed Magnesium to Coated Steel, Weld. J., 2011, 90, p 211s–219s

    Google Scholar 

  15. A.M. Nasiri, P. Chartrand, D.C. Weckman, and N.Y. Zhou, Thermochemical Analysis of Phases Formed at the Interface of a Mg Alloy-Ni-Plated Steel Joint During Laser Brazing, Metall. Mater. Trans. A, 2013, 44, p 1937–1946

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. A.M. Nasiri, D.C. Weckman, and Y. Zhou, Interfacial Microstructure of Diode Laser Brazed AZ31B Magnesium to Steel Sheet Using a Nickel Interlayer, Weld. J., 2013, 92, p 1s–10s

    Google Scholar 

  17. S. Chen, J. Huang, K. Ma, X. Zhao, and A. Vivek, Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of Laser Penetration Welding Joint with/Without Ni-Foil in an Overlap Steel-on-Aluminum Configuration, Metall. Mater. Trans. A, 2014, 45, p 3064–3073

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. S. Chen, D. Yang, M. Zhang, J. Huang, and X. Zhao, Interaction Between the Growth and Dissolution of Intermetallic Compounds in the Interfacial Reaction Between Solid Iron and Liquid Aluminum, Metall. Mater. Trans. A, 2016, 47, p 5088–5100

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. S. Chen, Z. Zhai, J. Huang, X. Zhao, and J. Xiong, Interface Microstructure and Fracture Behavior of Single/Dual-Beam Laser Welded Steel-Al Dissimilar Joint Produced with Copper Interlayer, Int. J. Adv. Manuf. Technol., 2016, 82, p 631–643

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. L. Li, C. Tan, Y. Chen, W. Guo, and X. Hu, Influence of Zn Coating on Interfacial Reactions and Mechanical Properties During Laser Welding-Brazing of Mg to Steel, Metall. Mater. Trans. A, 2012, 43, p 4740–4754

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. L. Li, C. Tan, Y. Chen, W. Guo, and C. Mei, CO2 Laser Welding-Brazing Characteristics of Dissimilar Metals AZ31B Mg Alloy to Zn Coated Dual Phase Steel with Mg Based Filler, J. Mater. Process. Technol., 2013, 213, p 361–375

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. C.W. Tan, Y.B. Chen, L.Q. Li, and W. Guo, Comparative Study of Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Laser Welded–Brazed Mg/Steel Joints with Four Different Coating Surfaces, Sci. Technol. Weld. Joi., 2013, 18, p 466–472

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Y. Miao, D. Han, X. Xu, and B. Wu, Phase Constitution in the Interfacial Region of Laser Penetration Brazed Magnesium–Steel Joints, Mater. Charact., 2014, 93, p 87–93

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. M. Gao, S. Mei, Z. Wang, X. Li, and X. Zeng, Process and Joint Characterizations of Laser–MIG Hybrid Welding of AZ31 Magnesium Alloy, J. Mater. Process. Technol., 2012, 212, p 1338–1346

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. M.X. Zhang, P.M. Kelly, M. Qian, and J.A. Taylor, Crystallography of Grain Refinement in Mg-Al Based Alloys, Acta Mater., 2005, 53, p 3261–3270

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The work was financially supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51504074), Shandong Provincial Young and Middle Aged Scientists Research Awards Fund (Grant Nos. BS2015ZZ008 and BS2014ZZ002) and China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (Grant Nos. 2015M571406 and 2016T90280).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Advanced Welding and Joining, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China

    Caiwang Tan, Xiaoguo Song, Liqun Li & Jicai Feng

  2. Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Special Welding Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology at Weihai, Weihai, 264209, China

    Caiwang Tan, Liyuan Xiao, Fuyun Liu, Bo Chen & Xiaoguo Song

Authors
  1. Caiwang Tan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Liyuan Xiao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Fuyun Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Bo Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Xiaoguo Song
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Liqun Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Jicai Feng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Xiaoguo Song.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Tan, C., Xiao, L., Liu, F. et al. Influence of Laser Power on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of a Laser Welded-Brazed Mg Alloy/Ni-Coated Steel Dissimilar Joint. J. of Materi Eng and Perform 26, 2983–2997 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-017-2726-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-017-2726-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation