Joining of Al and Fe
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Swerea KIMAB AB |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 300 000 |
| Project duration | November 2013 - September 2014 |
| Status | Completed |
Purpose and goal
The aim with this study was to join aluminium to steel by first spray the steel with an aluminium coating and the weld-braze with the MIG process. Spraying was done with HVAF and resultet in a coating with good adherence to the steel and low porosity. The welding, performed with a so called ´cold´ MIG process however resulted in a joint with low bonding and low wetting.
Results and expected effects
With the negative outcome of the welding, the effects that was aimed at can not be fulfilled. It is not recommended to continue this study with a follow-up project at present. The study has however resulted in a number of alternative ideas of joining aluminium to steel.
Approach and implementation
A part of the study was to spray steel with aluminium of different thickness. As spraying process AC-HVAF (Activated Combustion - High Velocity Air Fuel) was chosen. This process has given expected result, i.e. a coating with good adherence and low porosity. The welding with a ´cold´ MIG process did, however, not succeed due to practical reasons. Bonding to the coated steel was very low and the contact angle high (bad wetting) probably due to properties of the aluminium coating and its oxid.