Development of Q&P steels of third generation under conditions simulating a continuous annealing process, and evaluation of their weldability by the RSW process

• Published in: Materials letters Vol. 365; p. 136407
• Main Authors: Díaz, C.A., Martínez, E.E., De Lange, D.F., Saldaña, R., Guerra-Fuentes, L., Torres-Medina, M.F., Barreras, R.E., Rodríguez, S.L., Cruz, J.J., Peña-Juarez, M.G., Martínez-Sánchez, R., Gutiérrez-Castañeda, E.J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15-06-2024
• Subjects: Mechanical properties; Microstructure; Q&P steels; RSW; Weldability; Mechanical properties; Microstructure; Weldability; Q&P steels; RSW
• ISSN: 0167-577X; 1873-4979
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2024.136407

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•Development of Q&P advanced high-strength steels of third generation.•Q&P steels obtained by short-term annealing and isothermal treatment conditions.•3rd generation Q&P steels welded through the resistance spot welding process.•Effects of RSW process parameters on nugget quality and tensile shear strength.
Quenching and partitioning, advanced high-strength steels (Q&P-AHSS), are considered as potential candidates to satisfy the current requirements of the automotive industry in terms of passenger safety. Their fabrication at industrial scale has required modifications to well-established processes and thus, obtaining this type of microstructures through easier thermal cycles represents a current challenge for steel manufacturers. Apart from their manufacturing method, their mechanical properties and weldability are equally important. In the present work, Q&P-AHSS were obtained through short-term annealing and isothermal treatments, to further investigate the effects of resistance spot welding (RSW) parameters, on nugget quality and tensile shear strength. Results show that Q&P-AHSS can be welded with success by the RSW process, meeting the required quality specified in the standard AWS D8.9 M-2012.