Effect of nickel coating on the shear strength of FSW lap joint between Ni–Cu alloy and steel

Cu–Ni alloy and low-carbon steel were joined by friction stir lap welding (FSLW) with the help of a nickel coating. The appropriate welding parameters were investigated and the lap joints were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and shear strength testing. The shear strength of joints with a nickel coating was about 2.9 times as high as that of the joints without Ni coating. According to the EDS analysis of the fractured surfaces under the shear strength test, the micro-voids occurred in the Cu–Ni/steel interface without Ni coating, thus reducing the shear strength. These micro-voids were reduced in size using a nickel coating due to the self-diffusion in the Ni/Ni interface at high interface temperature and high contact pressure. The strong bonding mechanism using a nickel coating could be explained by the iron and copper atoms diffusing into the coating through the interface at high interface temperature and holding time.

► We examine the relationship between the shear strength of the joint and the thickness of nickel coating in a friction stir lap welding of Cu–Ni alloy and low-carbon steel.
► We focus on the effect of the welding parameters such as rotating speed and feeding rate.
► We find that the shear strength of the joint can be enhanced at a coating thickness of 5 μm on the Cu–Ni alloy and 20 μm on low-carbon steel.