Improved quality of resistance spot welded joints for molybdenum sheets in lap configuration by adding titanium interlayer

Abstract Resistance spot welding (RSW) exhibits low heat input and high efficiency. However, because Mo exhibits low resistivity and high hot strength, it is difficult to effectively combine the resistance spot welded joints of Mo. The lap joint of 1-mm-thick Mo sheets was welded using RSW. Moreover, the welding parameters (current, welding duration, and electrode force) were optimised. Using Ti foil as the interlayer, the influence of the alloying element on the resistance spot welded joint of the Mo sheets was explored. The results indicate that the success rate of welding can be improved by utilising a high current and short welding duration, and increasing the electrode force causes reduced contact resistance and further failure of the welding. In addition, an excessively high electrode force may result in electrode adhesion. Here, a current of 20 kA, welding duration of 0.4 s, and electrode force of 3726 N were used as the optimised parameters. The joint obtained under the parameters can withstand the highest shear load (about 2.20 kN); the shear load of the joint obtained after adding the Ti interlayer (thickness: 0.03 mm) increases by approximately 54%. After adding the Ti foil, the heat input on the interface increased and Ti melted to form metallurgical bonding with Mo. Under these conditions, the interfacial strength increased significantly. During the tensile–shear test, the heat-affected zone of Mo is fractured, in which the shear fracture is subjected to brittle failure.