Influence of Filler Composition on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Steel—Aluminum Joints Produced by Metal Arc Joining

Abstract

Chemical joining of aluminum to steel parts is one of the main challenges in the automotive industry to achieve sound economical solutions for required automobile weight reduction. The cold metal transfer (CMT) is a fusion welding process developed to meet that challenge. It is shown in this paper how the choice of proper filler materials can yield appropriate mechanical performance of specially designed dissimilar CMT butt joints by improving the seam characteristics and weld bead properties.