Microstructure, microhardness and tensile properties of FSWed DP 800 steel

Abstract

Purpose: Dual phase (DP) steels are widely used in the automotive industry due to their properties of a high balance of strength and formability. However, it is known that conventional welding of high strength steel leads to some undesirable results such as hardness decrease in the heat affected zone. Friction stir welding (FSW) is a new solid state joining method, which is used to join these steels due to its advantage of low heat input. The aim of this study is to evaluate the microstructural change and mechanical properties of friction stir welded DP800 steel. Design/methodology/approach: DP 800 steels with 1.5 mm thickness were subjected to friction stir welding, by using a tungsten carbide (WC) tool. The tool was tilted 2°, and downforce of the tool was kept constant at 6 kN. During processing, the tool rotation and traverse speed were fixed at 1600 rpm and 170 mm·min-1, respectively. Findings: The friction stir welded region comprises martensite, bainite, refined ferrite. The average microhardness of stir zone has increased from 260 HV0.2 to about 450 HV0.2. The tensile sample shows a decrease in the ultimate tensile strength (?UTS) about 3%, from 827 MPa to 806 MPa for the joint. The yield strength (YS) of the joint is about 566 MPa and the value is near that of DP800. Research limitations/implications: The tungsten carbide tool used for the friction stir welding has suffered deterioration in the pin profile after 1 meter welding operation. It may be advisable to drill a pre-hole in the specimens for a longer tool life. Practical implications: Tool wear for industrial applications will be a major problem. Therefore, the use of tools with high wear resistance such as polycrystalline cubic boron nitride may be recommended. Originality/value: Works on friction stir welding of dual phase steels are limited and they mostly focus on spot welding. Also, this study systematically investigates the microstructure and mechanical properties of dual-phase 800 steels after the friction stir welding. © by International OCSCO World Press. All rights reserved.