Local Chemical and Microstructural Gradation in a Ni–Steel Laminate by Multipass Friction Stir Lap Welding
摘要
A material with local chemical composition and microstructure graded zones was produced by three passes of lap friction stir welding of TRIP steel with a Ni interlayer. The as-developed gradients of nickel generated a microstructural evolution ranging from pure nickel to martensite via austenite. These microstructural gradients entailed hardness variations which cover distances up to 100 µm. The multiplication of passes number increases the austenite content and the gradients spatial extents. However, the formation of channelling defects, due to the too distinct material flows of steel and nickel with the present processing conditions, results in the premature failure of the joint in shear-tensile testing. The predominant importance of the transport of group of atoms in a pasty state during the material stirring compared to deformation induced mixing is proved in friction stir welding. The parameters governing deformation induced mixing in severe plastic deformation processes are also discussed.