ARC welding method for bonding steel with aluminum

When welding steel with aluminum, the appearance of intermetallic compounds of Fe and Al will decrease tenacity and increase rigidity, which leads to bad joint performance. A new type of low energy input (LEI) welding technology is introduced which can be used to weld steel with aluminum. Using the technology, brazing was located on the steel side and arc fusion welding on the aluminum side. The less heat input reduces the thickness of intermetallic compounds to 3-4 μm. Tensile strength tests prove that the joint breaks at the heat-affected zone and the strength is higher than 70% of the aluminum's. Thus, the method can lead to a good performance joint. © 2009 Higher Education Press and Springer-Verlag GmbH.