Welding Multilayer Materials by Refill Friction Stir Spot Welding

Abstract

In order to restrain global warming, automotive producers have adopted electric vehicle technology as one of the solutions to produce zero-emission cars as replacement for fuel combustion car. One of the challenges in production of the battery for electric vehicle is to weld thin electrode materials that have good electric conductivity, in multilayers configuration, which is challenging for conventional technologies. Refill friction stir spot welding is a spot-like joining process used as a nonconsumable tool to generate frictional heat during the process. Refill friction stir spot welding is able to weld various material combinations with good mechanical properties and surface quality. In this presentation, the capability of refill friction stir spot welding to join multilayer materials up to 80 layers of similar aluminum alloys will be presented. The presentation consists of the mechanical properties of the welds, electric conductivity/resistance of the welds and the temperature measurement data during welding process.