Mechanical properties and interfacial microstructures of magnetic pulse welding joints with aluminum to zinc-coated steel

Abstract In this study, the relations between interfacial microstructure and mechanical behavior of aluminum alloy sheets and zinc-coated steel sheets magnetic pulse welding (MPW) joints were characterized systematically. MPW joints of aluminum alloy and ungalvanized steel sheets were prepared for comparative analysis. Results showed that some of zinc layer on the galvanized steel was washed away to form metal jet under the high-speed collision. The change of failure mode from interfacial failure to base material fracture due to interfacial microstructure evolution was the fundamental reason for different mechanical behavior of two MPW joints. Because of the difference in element content and the severe plastic shear at the interface, the crystalline grain morphologies and sizes of aluminum and zinc in the transition zone changed. Amorphous structure was also found in the transition zone. The existence of the zinc layer would form brittle and hard phases on the interface, resulting in the generation of welding defects, thereby reducing mechanical properties of the joint.