Research Progress of Grain Boundary Liquid Metal Embrittlement Cracks in Galvanized Ultra-high Strength Automotive Steel Resistance Spot Welded Joints

doi:10.3901/JME.2023.02.039

Abstract

Abstract: Galvanized high-strength steel is used in the field of automotive components due to its high strength, corrosion resistance,and excellent ductility. It can reduce weight and improve vehicle safety performance. As one of the important technologies for material connection, resistance spot welding is widely used in the connection of galvanized high-strength automotive steel due to its advantages such as simple welding process, small heat-affected zone, small welding deformation and stress, and fast welding speed.However, during the welding process, the zinc coating will melt under the action of resistance heat and penetrate into the solder joints,thereby forming liquid metal embrittlement cracks(LME) in the welded joints. Brittle fracture occurs, which seriously deteriorates the mechanical properties of welded joints. The domestic and foreign research in this field is summarized in detail from the aspects of the formation mechanism of liquid metal embrittlement cracks, characterization methods and the influence of the base metal microstructure, and the measures to improve the liquid metal embrittlement cracks in welded joints of galvanized high-strength steel are summarized. Provide some reference and reference for the follow-up research work.

Key words: galvanized steel, resistance spot welding, ultra-high-strength automotive steel, liquid metal embrittlement cracks

CLC Number:

TG156

XIE Yong, WANG Xiaonan, ZHOU Xiang, LIU Zhenguang, YAO Jun, DU Baorui, BAO Chengren. Research Progress of Grain Boundary Liquid Metal Embrittlement Cracks in Galvanized Ultra-high Strength Automotive Steel Resistance Spot Welded Joints[J]. Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 2023, 59(2): 39-50.

References

[1] MALAKONDAIAH G, SRINIVAS M, RAO P R. Ultrahigh-strength low-alloy steels with enhanced fracture toughness[J]. Progress in Materials Science, 1997, 42(s1-4):209-242.
[2] 康永林. 汽车轻量化先进高强钢与节能减排[J]. 钢铁, 2008(6):1-7. KANG Yonglin. Lightweight vehicle, advanced high strength steel and energy-saving and emission reduction[J]. Iron and Steel, 2008(6):1-7.
[3] GAUL H, BRAUSER S, WEBER G, et al. Methods to obtain weld discontinuities in spot-welded joints made of advanced high-strength steels[J]. Welding in the World, 2011, 55(11-12):99-106.
[4] 焦增宝, 刘锦川. 新型纳米强化超高强度钢的研究与进展[J]. 中国材料进展, 2011, 30(12):6-11. JIAO Zengbao, LIU Jinchuan. Research and development of advanced nano-precipitate strengthened ultra-high strength steels[J]. Materials China, 2011, 30(12):6-11.
[5] 胡春东, 孟利, 董瀚. 超高强度钢的研究进展[J]. 材料热处理学报, 2016, 37(11):178-183. HU Chundong, MENG Li, DONG Han. Research and development of ultra-high strength steels[J]. Transactions of Materials and Heat Treatment, 2016, 37(11):178-183.
[6] 魏元生. 镀锌板种类及其在车身上的应用[J]. 汽车工艺与材料, 2011(9):51-56, 62. WEI Yuansheng. The types of galvanized plates and their applications on the body[J]. Automobile Technology & Material, 2011(9):51-56, 62.
[7] KIM Y G, KIM I J, KIM J S, et al. Evaluation of surface crack in resistance spot welds of Zn-coated steel[J]. Materials Transactions, 2014, 55(1):171-175.
[8] DIGIOVANNI C, BIRO E, ZHOU N Y. Impact of liquid metal embrittlement cracks on resistance spot weld static strength[J]. Science and Technology of Welding and Joining, 2018, 24(3):218-224.
[9] 孔谅, 凌展翔, 王泽, 等. 镀锌Q&P980钢电阻点焊接头液态金属脆裂纹的形态及分布[J]. 上海交通大学学报, 2019, 53(6):704-707. KONG Liang, LING Zhanxiang, WANG Ze, et al. Morphology and distribution of the liquid metal embrittlement crack in the resistance spot welded joint of the galvanized Q& P980 steel[J]. Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 2019, 53(6):704-707.
[10] LING Zhanxiang, WANG Min, KONG Liang. Liquid metal embrittlement of galvanized steels during industrial processing:A review[J]. Transactions on Intelligent Welding Manufacturing, 2018:25-42.
[11] NICHOLAS M, OLD C F. Liquid metal embrittlement[J]. Journal of Materials Science, 1979, 14(1):1-18.
[12] JOSEPH B, PICAT M, BARBIER F. Liquid metal embrittlement:A state-of-the-art appraisal[J]. The European Physical Journal-Applied Physics, 1999, 5(1):19-31.
[13] KOLMAN D G. A review of recent advances in the understanding of liquid metal embrittlement[J]. Corrosion, 2019, 75(1):42-57.
[14] HUNTINGTON A K. The effect of temperatures higher than atmospheric on tensile tests of copper and its alloys and a comparison with wrought iron and steel[J]. Journal of the Institute of Metals, 1914:234-253.
[15] SIGLER D R, SCHROTH J G, GAYDEN X Q, et al. Observations of liquid metal assisted cracking in resistance spot welds of zinc-coated advanced high strength steels[C/CD]//Sheet Met. Weld. Conf., 2008.
[16] BEAL C, XAVIER K, DAMIEN F, et al. Embrittlement of a zinc coated high manganese TWIP steel[J]. Materials Science and Engineering:A, 2012, 543:76-83.
[17] KAMDAR M. Liquid metal embrittlement[J]. Treatise on Materials Science & Technology, 1983(25):361-459.
[18] KANG J H, KIM D, KIM D H, et al. Fe-Zn reaction and its influence on microcracks during hot tensile deformation of galvanized 22MnB5 steel[J]. Surface and Coatings Technology, 2019, 357:1069-1075.
[19] JUNG G. Liquid metal embrittlement of high Mn TWIP steel[D]. Pohang:Graduate Institute of Ferrous Technology, Postech, 2015.
[20] DiGiovanni C, HE L, PISTEK U, et al. Role of spot weld electrode geometry on liquid metal embrittlement crack development[J]. Journal of Manufacturing Processes, 2020, 49:1-9.
[21] Lynch S P. Environmentally assisted cracking:Overview of evidence for an adsorption-induced localised-slip process[J]. Acta Metallurgica, 1988, 36(10):2639-2661.
[22] TOLF E, HEDEGARD J, MELANDER A. Surface breaking cracks in resistance spot welds of dual phase steels with electro-galvanised and hot dip zinc coating[J]. Science and Technology of Welding and Joining, 2013, 18(1):25-31.
[23] BARTHELMIE J, SCHRAM A, WESLING V. Liquid metal embrittlement in resistance spot welding and hot tensile tests of surface-refined TWIP steels[J]. IOP Conference Series:Materials Science and Engineering, 2016, 118:012002.
[24] FREI J, BIEGLER M, RETHMEIER M, et al. Susceptibility of electrolytically galvanized dual-phase steel sheets to liquid metal embrittlement during resistance spot welding[J]. Welding in the World, 2018, 62(5):1031-1037.
[25] CHOI D Y, UHM S H, ENLOE C M, et al. Liquid metal embrittlement of resistance spot welded 1180TRIP steel-effects of crack geometry on weld mechanical performance[J]. Mater. Sci. Technol., 2017:454-462.
[26] WINTIJES E, DiGiovanni C, HE L, et al. Quantifying the link between crack distribution and resistance spot weld strength reduction in liquid metal embrittlement susceptible steels[J]. Welding in the World, 2019, 63(3):807-814.
[27] ASHIRI R, HAQUE M A, JI C W, et al. Supercritical area and critical nugget diameter for liquid metal embrittlement of Zn-coated twining induced plasticity steels[J]. Scripta Materialia, 2015, 109:6-10.
[28] CHOI D Y, ASHUTOSH S, UHM S H, et al. Liquid metal embrittlement of resistance spot welded 1180 TRIP steel:effect of electrode force on cracking behavior[J]. Metals and Materials International, 2018(4):1-10.
[29] 孔谅, 凌展翔, 王泽, 等. 镀锌Q&P980钢电阻点焊接头液态金属脆裂纹的影响因素分析[J]. 焊接学报, 2019, 39(7):37-41, 130. KONG Liang, LING Zhanxiang, WANG Ze, et al. Analysis of the factors influencing the liquid metal embrittlement crack in the resistance spot welding joint of galvanized Q&P980 steel[J]. Journal of Welding, 2019, 39(7):37-41, 130.
[30] DIGIOVANNI C, HAN X, POWELL A, et al. Experimental and numerical analysis of liquid metal embrittlement crack location[J]. Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance, 2019, 28(4):2045-2052.
[31] ROBERT S, MARTIN G. A cracking good story of liquid metal embrittlement during spot welding of advanced high strength steels[R]. Linz:Voestalpine Stahl GmbH, 2017.
[32] KAŠČÁK L, SPISAK E. Evaluation of the influence of the welding current on the surface quality of spot welds[J]. Int. J. Eng. Sci. (IJES), 2016, 5(12):32-37.
[33] VANDER A E, HANLON D N, VANDER V T. Resistance spot weldability of 3rd generation advanced high strength steels for automotive applications[C/CD]//5th International Conference on Steels in Cars and Trucks, 2017.
[34] BEALC. Mechanical behaviour of a new automotive high manganese TWIP steel in the presence of liquid zinc[D]. Lyon:INSA, 2011.
[35] BEAL C, KLEBER X, FABREGUE D, et al. Liquid zinc embrittlement of twinning-induced plasticity steel[J]. Scripta Materialia, 2012, 66(12):1030-1033.
[36] ASHIRI R, SHAMANIAN M, SALIMIJAZI H R, et al. Liquid metal embrittlement-free welds of Zn-coated twinning induced plasticity steels[J]. Scripta Materialia, 2016, 114(1):41-47.
[37] CHO L, KANG H, LEE C W, et al. Microstructure of liquid metal embrittlement cracks on Zn-coated 22MnB5 press-hardened steel[J]. Scripta Materialia, 2014, 90-91:25-28.
[38] RAZMPOOSH M H, MACWAN A, BIRO E, et al. Liquid metal embrittlement in laser beam welding of Zn-coated 22MnB5 steel[J]. Materials & Design, 2018, 155:375-383.
[39] LING Zhanxiang, WANG Min, KONG Liang. Liquid metal embrittlement cracking during resistance spot welding of galvanized Q&P980 Steel[J]. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A, 2019, 50(11):5128-5142.
[40] Ling Zhanxiang, WANG Min, KONG Liang, et al. Towards an explanation of liquid metal embrittlement cracking in resistance spot welding of dissimilar steels[J]. Materials & Design, 2020, 195:109055.
[41] LEE H, JO M C, SOHN S S, et al. Microstructural evolution of liquid metal embrittlement in resistance-spot-welded galvanized TWinning-Induced Plasticity (TWIP) steel sheets[J]. Materials Characterization, 2019, 147:233-241.
[42] KANG H, CHO L, LEE C W, et al. Zn penetration in liquid metal embrittled TWIP steel[J]. Metallurgical & Materials Transactions A, 2016, 47(6):2885-2905.
[43] SAHA D.C, CHANG I, PARK Y D. Heat-affected zone liquation crack on resistance spot welded TWIP steels[J]. Materials Characterization, 2014, 93:40-51.
[44] RAZMPOOSH M H, BIRO E, CHEN D L, et al. Liquid metal embrittlement in laser lap joining of TWIP and medium-manganese TRIP steel:The role of stress and grain boundaries[J]. Materials Characterization, 2018, 145:627-633.
[45] JUNG G, WOO I S, SUH D W, et al. Liquid Zn assisted embrittlement of advanced high strength steels with different microstructures[J]. Metals & Materials International, 2016, 22(2):187-195.
[46] LIN K C, LIN C S. Effect of silicon in dual phase steel on the alloy reaction in continuous hot-dip galvanizing and galvannealing[J]. ISIJ International, 2014, 54(10):2380-2384.
[47] Scheiber D, Prabitz K, Romaner L, et al. The influence of alloying on Zn liquid metal embrittlement in steels[J]. Acta Materialia, 2020, 195:750-760.
[48] Hong S H, Kang J H, Kim D, et al. Si effect on Zn-assisted liquid metal embrittlement in Zn-coated TWIP steels:Importance of Fe-Zn alloying reaction[J]. Surface and Coatings Technology, 2020, 393:125809-125819.
[49] CHEN Y L, ZHU Y N, PENG H P, et al. Influence of phosphorus on the growth of Fe-Zn intermetallic compound in Zn/Fe diffusion couples[J]. Surface and Coatings Technology, 2014, 240:63-69.
[50] BHATTACHARYA D. Liquid metal embrittlement during resistance spot welding of Zn-coated high-strength steels[J]. Materials Science and Technology, 2018, 34(15):1809-1829.
[51] Christoph B, Gerson M, Max B, et al. Prevention of liquid metal embrittlement cracks in resistance spot welds by adaption of electrode geometry[J]. Science and Technology of Welding and Joining, 2020, 25(4):303-310.
[52] WINTJES E, DIGIOVANNI C, HE L, et al. Effect of multiple pulse resistance spot welding schedules on liquid metal embrittlement severity[J]. Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering, 2019, 141(10):9
[53] DIGIOVANNI C, BAG S, MEHLING C, et al. Reduction in liquid metal embrittlement cracking using weld current ramping[J]. Welding in the World, 2019, 63(6):1583-1591.
[54] HE L, DIGIOVANNI C, HAN X, et al. Suppression of liquid metal embrittlement in resistance spot welding of TRIP steel[J]. Science and Technology of Welding & Joining, 2019(6145):1-8.
[55] KLAVER T P C, MADSEN G K H, DRAUTZ R. A DFT study of formation energies of Fe-Zn-Al intermetallics and solutes[J]. Intermetallics, 2012, 31:137-144.
[56] MIAO Y, HAN D F, XU X F, et al. Phase constitution in the interfacial region of laser penetration brazed magnesium-steel joints[J]. Materials Characterization, 2014, 93:87-93.
[57] 杨文谦, 刘翰志, 王鹏, 等. 不同种类镀锌板抗腐蚀性能研究[J]. 全面腐蚀控制, 2015, 29(5):28-30. YANG Wenqian, LIU Hanzhi, WANG Peng, et al. Study on corrosion resistance of different kinds of galvanized sheet[J]. Total Corrosion Control, 2015, 29(5):28-30.