Print Email Facebook Twitter Understanding the effect of a paint bake cycle on the microstructure–mechanical properties relationship of a resistance spot welded advanced high strength steel Title Understanding the effect of a paint bake cycle on the microstructure–mechanical properties relationship of a resistance spot welded advanced high strength steel Author Eftekharimilani, P. (TU Delft (OLD) MSE-5) van der Aa, E.M. (Tata Steel) Petrov, R.H. (TU Delft (OLD) MSE-3; Universiteit Gent) Hermans, M.J.M. (TU Delft (OLD) MSE-5) Richardson, I.M. (TU Delft (OLD) MSE-5) Date 2018 Abstract The effect of an automotive paint bake (PB) thermal cycle on the microstructural evolution and the mechanical properties of resistance spot welded advanced high strength steel is presented in this work. Mechanical behavior of the heat-treated welds reveals an increase in maximum cross-tension strength, displacement and subsequently energy absorption capability when 453 K (180 °C)-20 minutes a bake thermal cycle is applied after welding. The microstructures of resistance spot welds with and without a PB heat treatment were characterized using scanning and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TEM analysis revealed that the weld nugget and HAZ of the resistance spot welds consist of a martensitic microstructure. The microstructural analysis of the post-weld heat-treated samples shows the presence of ε carbides in a martensitic matrix within the weld nugget and the HAZ. It is shown that the improved mechanical response of the paint-baked welds is associated with carbide precipitation during heat treatment. To reference this document use: http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:9a32077a-a475-4a11-82fe-f3d2a1a529c3 DOI https://doi.org/10.1007/s11661-018-4912-9 ISSN 1073-5623 Source Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A - Physical Metallurgy and Materials Science, 49 (12), 6185-6196 Part of collection Institutional Repository Document type journal article Rights © 2018 P. Eftekharimilani, E.M. van der Aa, R.H. Petrov, M.J.M. Hermans, I.M. Richardson Files PDF Eftekharimilani2018_Artic ... APaint.pdf 4.27 MB Close viewer /islandora/object/uuid:9a32077a-a475-4a11-82fe-f3d2a1a529c3/datastream/OBJ/view