Effect of cooling rate on metallurgical and mechanical properties in continuous wave laser welding of hot-dip galvanised steel-to-aluminium sheets in a zero part-to-part gap lap joint configuration

Using a continuous wave (CW) laser with beam oscillation, this study elucidates the impact of passive and active cooling on welding hot-dip galvanised steel-to-aluminium sheets. The work investigates how cooling affects the formation of intermetallic compounds (IMCs) and the behaviour of Zn vapours,...

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Main Authors: A. Baghbani Barenji, M.B. Russo, S. Jabar, H.R. Kotadia, D. Ceglarek, K.F. Ayarkwa, J.R. Smith, P. Franciosa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Journal of Advanced Joining Processes
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666330925000111
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author A. Baghbani Barenji
M.B. Russo
S. Jabar
H.R. Kotadia
D. Ceglarek
K.F. Ayarkwa
J.R. Smith
P. Franciosa
author_facet A. Baghbani Barenji
M.B. Russo
S. Jabar
H.R. Kotadia
D. Ceglarek
K.F. Ayarkwa
J.R. Smith
P. Franciosa
author_sort A. Baghbani Barenji
collection DOAJ
description Using a continuous wave (CW) laser with beam oscillation, this study elucidates the impact of passive and active cooling on welding hot-dip galvanised steel-to-aluminium sheets. The work investigates how cooling affects the formation of intermetallic compounds (IMCs) and the behaviour of Zn vapours, both of which are critical factors to the joint strength. IMCs are recognised as the most decisive factor in welding steel to aluminium, while Zn vapours significantly impact welding in a zero part-to-part gap overlap configuration. A 3D finite element method thermal model was employed to correlate the thermal cycles to the metallurgical and mechanical properties. The cooling rate without beam oscillation increased by 34% switching from passive to active cooling, while it was only 2.5% with oscillation present (2.5 mm lateral oscillation). Results revealed that active cooling influences Zn vapours and IMCs differently; faster cooling reduced total IMCs and Fe2Al5 phase and increased joint strength; however, it exacerbated spattering and weld discontinuity due to insufficient time for outgassing the Zn vapours from the molten pool. This adverse effect was more pronounced with beam oscillation due to larger molten pool. The experimental work also showed that despite beam oscillation does enlarge the connection area, the average shear stress was relatively lower compared to the case without oscillation, attributed to the increased thickness of the IMCs. Active cooling with water flow at 10 °C achieved 60% joint efficiency compared to parent aluminium, while beam oscillation reduced this to 54% but with half the strength variation. This highlights the complex, non-linear interplay between IMC formation, Zn vapour outgassing, and the dynamics of the molten pool.
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spelling doaj-art-89c33239b3644fcd9d84f6216e21ec422025-02-09T05:01:28ZengElsevierJournal of Advanced Joining Processes2666-33092025-06-0111100290Effect of cooling rate on metallurgical and mechanical properties in continuous wave laser welding of hot-dip galvanised steel-to-aluminium sheets in a zero part-to-part gap lap joint configurationA. Baghbani Barenji0M.B. Russo1S. Jabar2H.R. Kotadia3D. Ceglarek4K.F. Ayarkwa5J.R. Smith6P. Franciosa7WMG, The University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK; Corresponding author.Department of Engineering, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Aversa, 81031, ItalyWMG, The University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UKSchool of Engineering, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, L3 3AF, UKWMG, The University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UKJaguar Land Rover Limited, Abbey Road, Whitley, Coventry, CV3 4LF, UKJaguar Land Rover Limited, Abbey Road, Whitley, Coventry, CV3 4LF, UKWMG, The University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UKUsing a continuous wave (CW) laser with beam oscillation, this study elucidates the impact of passive and active cooling on welding hot-dip galvanised steel-to-aluminium sheets. The work investigates how cooling affects the formation of intermetallic compounds (IMCs) and the behaviour of Zn vapours, both of which are critical factors to the joint strength. IMCs are recognised as the most decisive factor in welding steel to aluminium, while Zn vapours significantly impact welding in a zero part-to-part gap overlap configuration. A 3D finite element method thermal model was employed to correlate the thermal cycles to the metallurgical and mechanical properties. The cooling rate without beam oscillation increased by 34% switching from passive to active cooling, while it was only 2.5% with oscillation present (2.5 mm lateral oscillation). Results revealed that active cooling influences Zn vapours and IMCs differently; faster cooling reduced total IMCs and Fe2Al5 phase and increased joint strength; however, it exacerbated spattering and weld discontinuity due to insufficient time for outgassing the Zn vapours from the molten pool. This adverse effect was more pronounced with beam oscillation due to larger molten pool. The experimental work also showed that despite beam oscillation does enlarge the connection area, the average shear stress was relatively lower compared to the case without oscillation, attributed to the increased thickness of the IMCs. Active cooling with water flow at 10 °C achieved 60% joint efficiency compared to parent aluminium, while beam oscillation reduced this to 54% but with half the strength variation. This highlights the complex, non-linear interplay between IMC formation, Zn vapour outgassing, and the dynamics of the molten pool.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666330925000111CW laser beam weldingDissimilar Zn-coated steel to aluminiumZn vaporisationIntermetallic compoundsCoolingMechanical properties
spellingShingle A. Baghbani Barenji
M.B. Russo
S. Jabar
H.R. Kotadia
D. Ceglarek
K.F. Ayarkwa
J.R. Smith
P. Franciosa
Effect of cooling rate on metallurgical and mechanical properties in continuous wave laser welding of hot-dip galvanised steel-to-aluminium sheets in a zero part-to-part gap lap joint configuration
Journal of Advanced Joining Processes
CW laser beam welding
Dissimilar Zn-coated steel to aluminium
Zn vaporisation
Intermetallic compounds
Cooling
Mechanical properties
title Effect of cooling rate on metallurgical and mechanical properties in continuous wave laser welding of hot-dip galvanised steel-to-aluminium sheets in a zero part-to-part gap lap joint configuration
title_full Effect of cooling rate on metallurgical and mechanical properties in continuous wave laser welding of hot-dip galvanised steel-to-aluminium sheets in a zero part-to-part gap lap joint configuration
title_fullStr Effect of cooling rate on metallurgical and mechanical properties in continuous wave laser welding of hot-dip galvanised steel-to-aluminium sheets in a zero part-to-part gap lap joint configuration
title_full_unstemmed Effect of cooling rate on metallurgical and mechanical properties in continuous wave laser welding of hot-dip galvanised steel-to-aluminium sheets in a zero part-to-part gap lap joint configuration
title_short Effect of cooling rate on metallurgical and mechanical properties in continuous wave laser welding of hot-dip galvanised steel-to-aluminium sheets in a zero part-to-part gap lap joint configuration
title_sort effect of cooling rate on metallurgical and mechanical properties in continuous wave laser welding of hot dip galvanised steel to aluminium sheets in a zero part to part gap lap joint configuration
topic CW laser beam welding
Dissimilar Zn-coated steel to aluminium
Zn vaporisation
Intermetallic compounds
Cooling
Mechanical properties
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666330925000111
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