Properties of Hybrid Aluminium-Steel Joints Made by Resistance Spot Welding

Resistance spot welding has significant role in the joining technologies of automotive industry. In the recent period there were some rival technologies, but resistance spot welding remains important. This has numerous reasons however mass production is one of the main motivations. The applied base materials both steel and aluminium develop rapidly. The dual-phase (DP) steels with different strength are typical in the automotive chassis, and the high strength aluminium alloys also continuously spread. These special material combinations mean new challenges for joining technologies, sometimes hybrid aluminium-steel joints should be prepared. In this paper hybrid joints between DP800 steel and 5754-H22/6082-T6 sheets were prepared. The microstructural and strength properties of the joints were investigated and compared. An intermetallic compound was formed between the dissimilar sheets during welding which is basically determine the joint properties. © 2022 Trans Tech Publications Ltd, Switzerland.