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Scope is to assess the Liquid Metal Embrittlement (LME) susceptibility of given steel grades, because LME might lead to safety relevant issues. In this procedure, the severity of liquid metal embrittlement (LME) is expressed as the reduction in ductility for a high temperature tensile test on a coated material, as compared to its uncoated state. The test and documentation methods in this guideline describe the procedures for high temperature tensile testing, in order to quantify the sensitivity to LME for zinc coated steels under thermomechanical conditions relevant to welding.
It is recommended to use the high temperature tensile test described in this guideline as a first stage to test the intrinsic LME sensitivity of materials. For materials that show an increased sensitivity to LME in the high temperature tensile tests, it is recommended to conduct further analyses using dedicated weld testing. For resistance spot welding, this can be done using the VDA 238-410.
This procedure is valid for the quantification of liquid metal embrittlement sensitivity of zinc (or zinc alloy) coated steels by high temperature tensile testing of thin steel sheet with a sheet thickness of 1.0 – 2.0 mm.
The test guideline describes the test procedure. Interpretation of the results, as reported in line with this guideline, needs to be defined between contracting parties.
