Effect of a Zn interlayer on the formation mechanism and mechanical performance of AA6061/DP590 steel resistance riveting welding

This study focuses on the forming mechanism of resistance riveting welding joints of 6061 Al alloy and DP590 steel plate and the effect of adding Zn interlayer on the mechanical properties of the joints. During the piercing stage, the rivet pierces through the Al plate, the Al plate beneath the rivet melts and reacts with the steel, with intermetallic compounds (IMC) generated. Some of the melted Al and IMCs are squeezed onto the side of the rivet. In the process of adding the Zn interlayer, the Zn is gradually incorporated into the melted Al near the rivet during the piercing process. At the welding stage, as the current is increased, the nugget diameter, peak joint load, and energy absorption values gradually increase. The failure mode of the joint changes from an interfacial fracture to pull-out fracture, eventually changing to base material pull-off, as the welding current increases. Compared to joints without Zn addition, joints with Zn addition exhibit a smaller nugget diameter, and narrower IMC layers at the interface. At a welding current of 13 kA, because the failure mode was a shear fracture of the nuggets, the peak joint load of the joints with zinc added decreased by 215 N compared to the unadded ones. On the contrary, when the current increased to 14 kA, the peak joint load of the joints was elevated by 639 N, because the IMC layer and the aluminum plate became the main load-bearing locations.