Failure Behavior of Three-Steel Sheets Resistance Spot Welds: Effect of Joint Design

There is a lack of comprehensive understanding concerning failure characteristics of three-steel sheet resistance spot welds. In this article, macro/microstructural characteristics and failure behavior of 1.25/1.25/1.25 mm three-sheet low carbon steel resistance spot welds are investigated. To evaluate the mechanical properties of the joint, the tensile-shear test was performed in three different joint designs. Mechanical performance of the joint was described in terms of peak load, energy absorption, and failure mode. The critical weld nugget size required to insure pullout failure mode was obtained for each joint design. It was found that the joint design significantly affects the mechanical properties and the tendency to fail in the interfacial failure mode. It was also observed that stiffer joint types exhibit higher critical weld size. Fusion zone size along sheet/sheet interface proved to be the most important controlling factor of spot weld peak load and energy absorption.