Identification of optimum friction stir spot welding process parameters controlling the properties of low carbon automotive steel joints

Friction stir spot welding is a novel solid state process that has recently received considerable attention from various industries including automotive sectors due to many advantages over the resistance spot welding. However to apply this technique, the process parameters must be optimized to obtain improved mechanical properties compared to resistance spot welding. To achieve this, in this investigation, design of experiments was used to conduct the experiments for exploring the interdependence of the process parameters. A second order quadratic model for predicting the lap shear tensile strength of friction stir spot welded low carbon automotive steel joints was developed from the experimental obtained data. It is found that dwell time plays a major role in deciding the joint properties, which is followed by rotational speed and plunge depth. Further optimum process parameters were identified for maximum lap shear tensile strength using numerical and graphical optimization techniques

Managing Knowledge in the Auto Industry

Knowledge resources are required to be generated, transferred, utilized, and managed in relation to all the business process, and the quest for process improvements depends on the development of projects of knowledge management (KM). All the world-leading industrial sectors have been almost totally oriented towards Fordist principles for decades, although with several modifications along time. Many of the organizational and technical tools developed for quality management are actually tools for information and knowledge diffusion aimed at coordinating organizational behaviors. The advance in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has helped significantly for data and information handling. KM promises are creating considerable expectations, as knowledge is accredited with extraordinary value and flexibility compared to any other assets

Effect of Heat Treatment on the Electrochemical and Mechanical Behavior of the Ti6Al4V Alloy

The effects of heat treatment on the hardness and electrochemical behavior of the Ti6Al4V alloy were studied. Two heat treatments were performed: one below (800 °C) and the other above (1050 °C) its beta transformation temperature (T= 980 ± 20 °C) and cooled using three conditions: water quenching, normalizing, and furnace. A microstructure observed using Optical Microscopy showed dependence on the heat treatment temperature applied; mainly three microstructures were obtained: martensitic, globular, and lamellar. Besides, alpha and beta phases were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. The Berkovich tests were performed to measure the hardness and reduced modulus (E). The Ti6Al4V alloy treated at 1050 °C and air-cooled exhibited hardness values closer to those of the Ti6Al4V as-received alloy. Electrochemical tests were carried out to analyze the electrochemical behavior after 7-day immersion in Hank’s solution at 37 °C and pH 7.40. Open Circuit Potentials (E) showed less negative values for Ti6Al4V and Ti6Al4V alloys, suggesting ennoblement of these materials. Furthermore, these alloys exhibited an outstanding electrochemical behavior compared to the Ti6Al4V as-received alloy by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) technique.The authors thank David Pérez-Risco for sharing his experience and useful advice on Berkovich Nano-indenter at the National Metallurgical Research Center (CENIM-CSIC Madrid, Spain), allowing this work to be carried out. Mercedes Paulina Chávez-Díaz thanks the National Science and Technology Council (CONACyT) for a doctoral fellowship to hold a research stay at CENIM-CSIC. This work was supported by the Government of Spain, through the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness [MAT2015-67750-C3-1]. Elsa Miriam Arce-Estrada and Román Cabrera-Sierra wish to thank the National Research System (SNI) for the distinction of its members and the stipend received