Spinodal liquid phase separation enabling dissimilar resistance spot welding of immiscible iron and copper alloy system

The heat un-balance and the immiscibility of the Cu and Fe alloy system are the key challenges during Cu/Fe resistance spot welding. Utilising electrodes of different geometries enabled the formation of a mixed Cu-Fe fusion zone. It is identified that despite the immiscibility of Cu and Fe in the solid-state, metastable liquid phase separation enables a metallurgical joining between Cu and Fe. The liquid phase spinodal decomposition led to the formation of an ultra-fine interconnected network of Cu-rich and Fe-rich phases in the fusion zone. The higher hardness of the fusion zone compared to the base metals, the susceptibility to solidification cracking, and the electrode indentation in the Cu sheet govern the mechanical properties of the Cu/Fe resistance spot welds.

Automated summary

The heat un-balance and immiscibility of Cu/Fe alloy system pose challenges in Cu/Fe resistance spot welding. The use of electrodes with different geometries enables the formation of a mixed Cu-Fe fusion zone. Although Cu and Fe are immiscible in the solid-state, a metastable liquid phase separation allows for metallurgical joining between them. The formation of an ultra-fine interconnected network of Cu-rich and Fe-rich phases is observed in the fusion zone.