Evolution of the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Friction Stir Welded Ferrite-Martensite DP700 Dual Phase Steel

In present research, the effect of tool transverse speed on the microstructure and mechanical properties of friction stir welded DP700 dual-phase steel has been studied. Welding process conducted at a rotational speed of 800 rpm and tool transverse speeds of 50 and 100 mm/min. Optical and scanning electron microscopy were used for microstructural examinations, and mechanical properties were evaluated using microhardness measurements and tensile test. Microstructural investigation revealed that the stir zone consists of bainite, acicular ferrite and polygonal ferrite. It was also revealed that the heat-affected zone (HAZ), based on the peak temperature (Tp), can be subdivided into three different regions: 1) inner HAZ, where Tp is higher than Ac3, 2) Middle HAZ, where Tp lies between Ac1 and Ac3, 3) Outer HAZ in which Tp is lower than Ac1. It was also found that the martensite phase tempers in OHAZ and the degree of tempering decreases with the increment of tool transverse speed. This results confirmed by microhardness measurements where the hardness reduction of the softened zone decreased from 28 to 20HV with an increment of tool transverse speed. The highest hardness of the joints corresponded to the stir zone, and its value increased from 345 to 375HV with rising tool transverse speed. Tensile test results showed that the ultimate strength of the joints was lower than the base metal (723MPa) and it increases from 662 to 671MPa with rising tool transverse speed. It was also revealed that increasing transverse speed improves the total elongation by 2.6%.