Microstructural and mechanical characterization of flash-welded joints is HSLA steels

In the present work, two HSLA steels are evaluated as candidates to replace the current SAE 1010 steel in the manufacture of trucks and buses wheel rims. Since the welding process is a critical stage of the production of these parts, samples were taken from flash-welded blanks of the chosen steels in order to provide information on the microstructure and mechanical behavior of the weld and heat-affected zones and compare them to the conventional SAE1010 steel. The mechanical properties were evaluated by means of hardness, tensile and impact tests. The obtained results provide support for the understanding on how the welding process affects the materials' properties and give important information related to the conventional steel replacement towards a significant weight reduction of the component.