Hole inhibition mechanisms of Mg/steel lap joint by pinless friction stir spot welding

Pinless friction stir spot welding (P-FSSW) was performed to manufacture Mg/steel lap joints. Orthogonal tests for P-FSSW of Mg/steel were investigated, and the main factors affecting the properties of Mg/steel lap joints were derived. The shear force of the Mg/steel lap joints gradually increased and then decreased as the welding time increased. Maximum shear force was 5.3 kN. Fe–Al intermetallic compound (IMC) was formed at the Mg/steel interface near the steel side, and Mg–Al IMCs were formed at the Mg/steel interface near the Mg alloy side. Mg/steel lap joint was transformed from an initial solid-state welding to fusion-brazing welding as the welding time increased. No hole defects were formed in Mg/steel solid-state welding joints, whereas hole defects appeared in Mg/steel fusion-brazing welding joints. The temperature field of Mg/steel lap joints was simulated to analyze hole defects generated during the welding process. Hole defects can be eliminated by changing the spindle deflection angle, and the shear force decreased. Excessive spindle deflection can also lead to failure to form a stable joint. Hole defects were removed because the spindle deflection angle reduced the interfacial reaction temperature, and a solid-state welding joint was formed, which resulted in an absence of fusion-brazing welding hole formation.