Title: Effects of aluminium and sulphur on resistance spot weldability of steels

Authors: P.C. Pavlik, J.M. Dowling, H.W. Kerr, P. Niessen

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada

Abstract: Spot weldability, as measured by the peel test, has been studied for galvanized sheet steels with variations in: (i) aluminium content in the zinc coating and (ii) sulphur content within the sheet steel. A response surface statistical analysis was employed, using a range of welding currents and times. The results indicate that the aluminium content, over the range 0.14 to 0.32 wt% may increase weldability by increasing the range of currents which will produce acceptable button sizes. However, very slight increases in sulphur level can reduce weldability, due to a combination of small spacing of sulphide inclusions and high hardness causing poor fracture resistance within the weld metal.

Keywords: aluminium; galvanized steel sheets; spot welding; sulphur content; resistance welding; steel weldability; peel test; zinc coating; fracture resistance.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMPT.1989.036717

International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, 1989 Vol.4 No.1, pp.10 - 18

Published online: 06 Nov 2010 *

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