Enhancements in the Bonding Properties of a Friction Stir Lap-Welded Interstitial Free Steel and Al Alloy by Introducing a Ni Interlayer

A pure Ni interlayer with a thickness of 0.1 mm was introduced between high-strength interstitial free steel and Al-Mg-Si alloy, which were friction stir lap welded, producing an excellent welded joint. The interface layer consisted of a gamma-Ni solid solution, and the mixed stirring zone contained alternate lamellae of gamma-Ni and alpha-Fe solid solutions. The addition of a Ni interlayer strongly suppressed the reaction between Al and Fe because of the atomic arrangement of Ni. Furthermore, the insertion depth of the stirring pin has a significant influence on the Al/steel interfacial reaction. Under shallow insertion depth, the intermetallic compounds of both FeAl and Fe2Al5 were observed at the interface layer. A maximum tensile-shear fracture load of 4.3 kN was achieved, with fractures being present in the steel substrate far away from the Al/steel weld.