Dissimilar joining of duplex AISI 2304 stainless steel/austenitic AISI 321 stainless steel using resistance spot welding technique: Microstructural evolutions, tensile-shear properties, and fracture analysis

Abstract

In this work, microstructural characteristics and mechanical performance of spot weld joints of AISI 321 austenitic stainless steel (ASS)/AISI 2304 duplex stainless steel (DSS) were experimentally assessed. The welding current and time were varied to determine their effects on the failure load/energy and mechanism of dissimilar welds. The weld metal (WM)’s microstructure had a ferritic matrix as well as a distribution of grain boundary, Widmanstätten, and transgranular austenite. Some precipitates were found in the weld. The heat-affected zone (HAZ) of the AISI 321 ASS did not experience extensive phase evolutions and only grain coarsening occurred. This led to the HAZ softening. While extensive phase transformations were identified in the HAZ of the AISI 2304 DSS. Its microstructure contained a ferrite matrix with Widmanstätten and grain boundary-type austenite. Such microstructure resulted in the HAZ strengthening. Alteration of the welding condition from 1 kA – 2 s to 3 kA – 2 s raised peak load (tensile-shear strength) from 9.7± 0.8 to 16± 1 kN and energy absorbed to fracture from 15.52 ±1 to 51.2± 2 J. Enhanced WM size was responsible for them. Finally, as welding condition reached 4 kA – 2 s, they would decrease to 14.4±1 kN and 41.76± 3 J, respectively. It arises from surface splash. Once the welding condition varied from 3 kA – 1 s to 3 kA – 3 s, the weld performance was promoted i.e., improvement of peak load from 13± 1 to 19.6± 0.5 kN and energy absorbed to fracture from 23.4±2 to 49±3 J. It results from the WM enlarged. Ultimately, welding condition of 3 kA – 4 s causes a degradation in the weld performance i.e., drop of peak load to 15.8±1 kN and energy absorbed to fracture to 33.18± 2 J. This was on account of surface splash. With reference to the fracture analysis, interfacial, single pull-out, and double pull-out fracture modes were characterized.