Microstructure evaluation and mechanical properties of a friction stir spot welded TRIP 800 steel

A TRIP 800 steel was friction stir spot welded using three different tool rotational speeds, 1600, 2000 and 2400 rpm, and the dwell time was kept constant at 2 s. The resultant microstructures formed in each weld zone were analysed as well as their hardness. Higher hardness values were observed for the lowest rotational speed, 1600 rpm, where the heat input in theory was lower and, therefore, the cooling rate was faster. However, for this rotational speed, allotriomorphic ferrite was also observed in the stir zone. In the lap shear tests, samples welded at 1600 and 2400 rpm did not reach the minimum value recommended by the AWS D8.1M standard, which was attributed to the lower bonding ligament length and also lower distance between the keyhole left by the pin and the end of the zinc line, which is formed in the stir zone. The fracture of the samples occurred along this line. As a result, the influence of the microstructure on the failure process could only be inferred when the zinc line disappeared.