This paper aims at investigating the effect of heat input in resistance spot welding on microstructure and mechanical behavior of 2304 duplex stainless steel, as a promising candidate for automotive application. The results showed that due to rapid cooling rate inherent to resistance spot welding, the ferrite-austenite phase balance is destroyed and nitride-type precipitates are formed within the ferrite grains. The amount of austenite in the weld nugget was a function of welding current, as the most important factor affecting welding heat input. Increasing welding current increased the austenite volume fraction from 4 to 18%. Moreover, the nitride precipitation was reduced upon using higher welding currents. Investigation of weld mechanical performance during the tensile-shear loading showed that increasing welding current enhances both load bearing capacity and energy absorption capability. The maximum achievable peak load and energy absorption of 2304 duplex stainless steel resistance spot welds were 25 kN and 40 J indicating a superior weldability.

Keywords: Resistance spot welding, Duplex stainless steel, Phase balance, Mechanical behavior

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