Joining of steel to aluminum alloy by AC pulse MIG welding

Abstract

This study evaluates the characteristics of welds resulting from joining dissimilar alloys, steel SPRC440 and aluminum alloy 6K21. The joint was obtained by means of AC pulse MIG welding, which alternates between direct current electrode positive (DCEP) and direct current electrode negative (DCEN), based on the EN ratio. In order to evaluate the AC pulse MIG welding for the dissimilar joining of steel SPRC440 to Aluminum alloy 6K21 the arc characteristics in relation with varying EN ratios were analyzed. The AC pulse MIG welding process showed good gap bridging ability. The joining quality of the dissimilar alloys was evaluated by the analyzing the intermetallic compound layer. © 2009 The Japan Institute of Metals.