Critical assessment: dissimilar resistance spot welding of aluminium/steel: challenges and opportunities

Abstract

Dissimilar joining of aluminium and steel, especially using resistance spot welding as a critical process in vehicle manufacturing, is a key challenge for multi-materials lightweight design strategy. Controlling the formation and growth of Al5Fe2 intermetallic is the outstanding issue for producing high strength crash-resistance Al/steel dissimilar resistance spot welds. This critical assessment highlights the current understating regarding factors affecting the joint properties and approaches to control the interfacial reaction. Finally, the unresolved scientific challenges are discussed with the goal of shedding light on the path forward to produce reliable metallurgical bonding between aluminium and steels for automotive application.