Al/steel welds were successfully fabricated by refill friction stir spot welding. The welding parameters were optimised based on the clamping ring temperature and weld strength. 85.7% of welds achieve a strength which exceeds the American Welding Society requirement when the clamping ring temperature ranges from 230 to 265°C. Cracks are formed under the pin and sleeve in the Al substrate at the Al/steel interface, which are associated with the tool sleeve plunging period and attributed to the α-Al + Al–Zn eutectic structure. The interdiffusion between Al and Zn at the steel surface produced an Al–Zn eutectic structure layer at the Al/steel interface, while part of the zinc coating materials is squeezed out of the sleeve periphery, leading to a brazing effect which contributes to weld strength. Nanoscale discontinuous Fe4Al13 and FeAl intermetallics form as a layer localised at the Al–Zn layer/steel substrate interface.
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