Interface microstructure and nanoindentation characterization of laser offset welded 5052 aluminum to press-hardened steel using a brass interlayer

Abstract

Laser offset welding of 5052 aluminum to press-hardened steel using a brass interlayer was carried out. The cross-sectioned macrostructure and tensile strength were governed by varying the thickness of the brass interlayer. The maximum tensile strength reached 56.4 MPa when the thickness of brass interlayer was 0.05 mm. Subsequently, the interface microstructure, the nanoindentation characterization, and the fracture behavior were evaluated experimentally by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS), and micro-X-ray diffraction (micro-XRD), respectively. It was found that the intermetallic compound (IMC) layer at the interface consisted of an Fe2Al5 layer and an FeAl layer, and the estimated nanohardness of Fe2Al5, FeAl, and Fe3Al were 16.11 GPa, 9.48 GPa, and 4.13 GPa, respectively. The fracture of the joint with the 0.05 mm brass interlayer was a mixture of cleavage fracture and intergranular fracture, while that of the joint with the 0.1 mm brass interlayer exhibited the characterization of a major dendrite arm, leaving a metallurgical connected zone consisting of the Al2Cu and the α-Al phase.