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The optimization of a car body in terms of cost can be achieved by using different materials in various positions of the car in order to utilize specific properties of each different material. Resistance spot welding is the most used method of joining in car body production, but it is not always easy or even possible to join some combination of materials by this method. Clinching is an alternative method to spot welding, as a combination of drawing and forming. The research is focused on the evaluation of clinched joints’ properties using shearing test and metallographic observation of material structure.

The paper presents the results of resistance spot welding of hot-dip galvanized microalloyed steel sheets used in car body production. The spot welds were made with various welding currents and welding time values, but with a constant pressing force of welding electrodes. The welding current and welding time are the dominant characteristics in spot welding that affect the quality of spot welds, as well as their dimensions and load-bearing capacity. The load-bearing capacity of welded joints was evaluated by tensile test according to STN 05 1122 standard and dimensions and inner defects were evaluated by metallographic analysis by light optical microscope. Thewelding parameters of investigated microalloyed steel sheets were optimized for resistance spot welding on the pneumatic welding machine BPK 20.

Thin steel sheets are used in the production of food packaging, especially for long-term storage. Reducing the thickness of steel sheets and increasing the speed of the drawing process in the manufacture of packaging often decrements its plastic deformation stability. These changes bring about the need to use evaluation methods able to determine mechanical and plastic properties of steel sheets quickly and at a low cost. Two types of tin-plated steel sheets were used for experimental research into the influence of plastic deformation on their corrosion resistance. The paper compares the results of the uniaxial tension test and the biaxial tension test of tin-plated sheet properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]