Relationship between failure behaviour and weld fusion zone attributes of austenitic stainless steel resistance spot welds

Abstract

Resistance spot welding was used to join austenitic stainless steel sheets. Mechanical properties of the spot welds were evaluated using tensile shear test. Mechanical behaviour was described by peak load, failure energy and failure mode. The relationship between weld fusion zone attributes and failure behaviour was studied. Generally, it was observed that increasing fusion zone size is accompanied by an increase in load carrying capacity and energy absorption capability. However, when expulsion occurs, despite almost constant weld fusion zone size, energy absorption capability reduces significantly due to increase in electrode indentation depth. Considering the failure location and failure mechanism in the tensile shear test, minimum required fusion zone size to ensure the pull-out failure mode was estimated using an analytical model. According to this model, in addition to sheet thickness, ratio of fusion zone hardness to failure location hardness is the key metallurgical factor governing failure mode of spot welds during the tensile shear test.