Undercarriage Weld Metal Composition to Suppress Red Rust

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automobile undercarriage parts with welded joints face challenges in achieving both high strength and corrosion resistance, particularly in suppressing red rust at weld metal joints, which is exacerbated by painting defects and the formation of insulating slag.

Innovation Solution

The composition of the weld metal is carefully controlled to include specific ranges of C, Si, Mn, Al, and Ti, with balanced coexistence of Al and Ti, and optimized welding conditions such as nozzle diameter, gas flow rate, and distance between nozzle and base metal to prevent red rust, ensuring excellent strength and corrosion resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If Si content in weld metal is increased to improve strength, then strength is improved, but insulating Si slag forms causing painting defects and red rust

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweld metal strengthVSAvoidred rust and painting defects
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the weld metal by strictly controlling Si content to 0.04-0.20% and Mn content to 0.50-3.00%, while also controlling the ratio of Si/Mn to be 0.08-0.80. This parameter optimization prevents excessive Si slag formation while maintaining adequate strength, thereby eliminating painting defects and red rust issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite chemical composition system in the weld metal that balances multiple elements (C, Si, Mn, Al, Ti, etc.) rather than relying on a single element. This composite approach allows the weld metal to achieve both strength and corrosion resistance by synergistic interaction of elements, preventing Si slag formation while maintaining mechanical properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If arc welding is performed on steel members to manufacture undercarriage parts, then manufacturing capability is achieved, but corrosion resistance deteriorates due to painting defects and red rust in joint portions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewelding capabilityVSAvoidcorrosion resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies preliminary action by optimizing the weld metal composition before welding occurs. By pre-controlling the chemical composition (Si: 0.04-0.20%, Mn: 0.50-3.00%, Si/Mn ratio: 0.08-0.80), the welding process inherently produces slag-free welds that are ready for painting without subsequent corrosion issues, eliminating the need for post-weld treatment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the chemical parameters of the welding consumable to achieve both manufacturability and corrosion resistance. By adjusting Si and Mn content and their ratio, the weld metal produces adequate slag that does not interfere with painting, thereby maintaining both ease of manufacture and long-term corrosion resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Shape

If painting is performed on welded parts to improve appearance, then appearance is improved, but corrosion resistance deteriorates when painting defects occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface appearanceVSAvoidcorrosion resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies preliminary anti-action by preventing the formation of insulating Si slag at the source through controlled composition. By limiting Si content to 0.04-0.20% and controlling the Si/Mn ratio to 0.08-0.80, the weld metal inherently avoids creating surface defects that would cause painting failures, thereby protecting against future corrosion before painting is even applied.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters to create a weld metal that is inherently paint-friendly. By optimizing Si and Mn content and their ratio, the weld surface achieves adequate smoothness and chemical stability, enabling successful painting that provides both appearance and corrosion protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The approach results in weld metals with enhanced strength and corrosion resistance, as evidenced by the suppression of red rust in cyclic tests, maintaining integrity under tensile loads and environmental exposure.

Implementation Method 1

gas shielded arc welding or the like

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas shielded arc welding: Welding

Implementation Method 2

performing arc welding on a plurality of steel members using welding wires

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectArc welding: Electric Arc

Implementation Method 3

suppressing the formation of insulating Si slag

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSlag formation suppression:

Implementation Method 4

corrosion resistance after painting in a weld or a vicinity thereof

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCorrosion resistance: Crevice Corrosion

Data Source

PatentEP3950995B1Automobile undercarriage part
Publication Date: 2024.01.10 NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
  • EP3950995B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3950995B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3950995B1 patent drawing

AI summary

An automobile undercarriage part of the present invention has a welded joint formed by base steel plate, wherein the chemical composition of a weld metal contains, with respect to a total mass of the weld metal, by mass%, C: 0.02% to 0.30%, Si: 0.10% to less than 1.0%, Mn: 1.2% to 3.0%, Al: 0.002% to 0.30%, Ti: 0.005% to 0.30%, P: more than 0% to 0.015%, and S: more than 0% to 0.030%, the following formula (1A), formula (1B), formula (2), and formula (3) are satisfied, and slag in a toe portion of the fillet weld satisfies a formula (4). A1+Ti>0.05 Ti/A1>0.9 7×Si+7×Mn−112×Ti−30×A1≤12 2.0<Si+Mn Ticontentonslagsurface>Sicontentonslagsurface