Journal of Welding Science

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The structural and hardness developed in advanced high-strength steel DP590 have been investigated with the help of optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy on resistance spot welded specimens. The hardness diagram of the weld sections was prepared by microhardness test and the temperature peak and heat distribution were simulated by menas of the Abaqus software. The results show that according to the temperature generated in each region of the weld nugget, the HAZ and base metals have different microstructures, and these difference affects the hardness of the regions. The presence of tempered martensite islands with a fraction of 44% in ferrite matrix in base metal, mainly martensitic structure in the nugget, and martensitic structure along with scattered areas of ferrite in the HAZ was observed. The results of the microhardness tests showed difference in hardness values of the regions, and also it was observed that the hardness values increased in the HAZ and weld zone. The hardness values measured in the nugget, base metal, and HAZ were around 400, 200, and 450 HV which were in accordance with the observed structures

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Nowadays, the use of advanced high strength steels (AHSSs) in body-in-white is one of the hot applied strategies which is followed by the most of the automakers. The study of weldability and weld challenges facing these steels in resistance spot welding process as the most widely used process in the assembly lines of the automotive industry is essential to use the outstanding mechanical responses of AHSSs. This study can result in improvement of mechanical performance of the resistance spot welds of AHSSs. Our results indicate that AHSSs experiences different welding challenges which this work aims to study them by discussing their causes, mechanisms involved and potential ways to address them.