Microscopic mechanism of ultrasonically welded joints: The role of terminal roughness and wire diameter

The ultrasonic welding technology is widely promoted as a new connection approach in the field of current energy vehicle wiring harness connection. In this paper, three kinds of 25mm2 copper wire harnesses with different wire diameters and T2 copper terminals with different surface roughness were welded by ultrasonic welding. The mechanical properties of the joints were investigated by tensile experiments and the microstructure of joints was characterised using SEM and EBSD techniques. Excessive roughness increases plastic deformation at the weld interface during ultrasonic welding. This increases the dislocation density at the weld interface and refines the grain size. However, at the same time it inhibits recrystallisation to a certain extent. The lower roughness facilitates recrystallisation, but the low density of HAGBs makes the interface susceptible to slip in extended crystallographic plane and direction. Appropriate roughness allows the weld interface to generate fine equiaxed grains and a high density of HAGBs. This facilitates the obstruction of dislocation movement and improves the strength of joint. In addition, the high porosity of a longitudinal cross-section of the conductor with its small diameter was investigated. This results in a large number of wires remaining on the terminals when force is applied. It was determined that the larger a diameter of wire, the higher a cross-sectional porosity. The copper wire breaks at a weak point in cross-section when the force is applied, resulting in the entire wire being left on terminal. At a wire diameter of 0.2 mm, the porosity of a cross-section reaches an equilibrium and the strength of joint is even higher than the strength of material itself, resulting in the joint pulling off. The maximum strength reaches 4703.77 N. •Copper wires were soldered to terminals with right roughness and improved mechanical properties and stability of joints.•Observation of the transverse and longitudinal interfaces of the joints revealed opposite moulding effects.•Joint strength has achieved peak with balanced transverse and longitudinal porosity for 0.2 mm wire diameter.•EBSD analysis explored, how terminal surface roughness affects recrystallization and mechanical properties.•Three connector failure modes are outlined and the cause of the failure is investigated and explained.