Various welding processes for joining aluminium alloy with steel: Effect of process parameters and observations–a review

The versatile aluminium alloys and steel are being used in automotive engines (exhaust systems), pressure vessels (flanges), turbine rotors, boilers (bonnet) and in many applications. The collective effect of these two metals created a revolution and are being utilized in most of the sectors wherein joining of these two dissimilar materials are always a major challenge faced by the manufacturers. Initially, the rivets were widely used for joining dissimilar materials owing to easy installation and flexibility, but the joint interlock fails and sudden ruptures occurred when exposed to higher load. Hence, numerous welding processes like metal inert gas welding, friction stir welding, friction stir spot welding, advanced laser welding, advanced cold metal transfer welding and hybrid welding techniques have been introduced in order to conquer the above problem because of residual stresses, cracks, distortion, and undercuts. Moreover, an appropriate standardization with controlled process inputs is still an uncertainty in joining the dissimilar materials. Hence, a detailed review on joining the dissimilar metals based on aluminium alloy and steel by various welding processes and influence of their parameters on the properties have been summarized in detail which would be a reference for manufacturing industries in the coming decades.