Process Adjustments to Improve Fracture Behaviour in Resistance Spot Welds of EHSS and UHSS

Abstract

In recent years new types of sheet steels, combining higher strength with better ductility have been developed. Some of these steels have shown limited weldability compared to mild steels. The hardness of the welds for these steels stretches from 380 HV for DP 600 to approximately 500 HV for TRIP (Transformation Induced Plasticity) and boron steels. Static peel tests of eight types of steels resulted in plug failures for the DP 600 steels, but some interfacial failures for higher strength steels. Generally, welds with a hardness exceeding 400–450 HV caused unstable fractures. To modify the hardness of the weld an in-process tempering of weld martensite was performed on a TRIP steel. Guidance to a proper tempering pulse was obtained through simulation of phase transformation and cooling of the weld. Welding experiments showed that the weld hardness could be reduced to approximately 350 HV, i.e. below the limit where interfacial failures start to occur.