Effect of Interfacial Intermetallic Compounds Morphology on Mechanical Properties of Laser Brazing of Aluminum to Steel

Abstract

The paper provides experimental details of the welding and specific examples of welding aluminum welding battery cans and conductive tabs for battery pack manufacture. In this study, we provide experimental details of a process for joining dissimilar materials used in sealing battery parts. A laser brazing technique was used for the lap joining of aluminum alloy and a deep drawing quality stainless steel, with an Al-Si filler metal. These materials are commonly used in battery applications, as materials for the cap plate, tab plate and can. The relationships among the width of the brazed zone, formation of intermetallic compounds (IMCs), shape of the joint interface, and joint strength were systematically investigated with respect to the laser power and filler wire feeding rate. When a low and medium laser power (1.2-2.0 kW) was applied, the joint strength was very low, and fracture occurred across the band-shaped IMC layer. With a further increase in the applied laser power (2.2-2.8 kW), a new needle-like IMC composed of Al13Fe5 with a monoclinic crystal structure was formed, and it penetrated the brazed zone. In addition, the width of the brazed zone increased due to the partial melting of the aluminum. The joint efficiency under a high laser power condition was 70% compared to that of the base material. Fractures occurred alternately along the needle-shaped IMC and filler metal zone. Since the fracture propagated along the needle-like IMCs inside the brazed zone, the peak load was higher than that of the band-shaped IMCs.