Clinching of High-Strength Steel Sheets with Local Preheating

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

This study looks so interesting for publishing. However, some minor corrections should be considered before publishing as the following:

-          Can you enhance the abstract with some of your real findings and results of this study

-          Can you explain more about the research question of this study

-          Does Tables 1 and 2, related to your measured results or inserted from a reference?

-          In Fig 4, can you add the scale of the images

-          In Fig 8, the color scale is a bit small, can you make it bigger

-          By the end of your results section, can you add a small paragraph explaining and comparing your results with the literature reviews

-          Fig 9 and 10, the scale of the images is very small. May you enhance it

-          Fig 12 b, it is better to replot the y-axis between 200 and 300, so the real difference could appear better

-          Fig 12, and 13, the color and the shape of the bar scales are different. can you make a union

-          Fig 14 b, should be explained in detail. Do you EDS of these images, it would be better to explain the elemental differences in this image

-          Fig 26, why the center looks better with time

-          May you change the comma with dots in the x-axis values in the figures for a better English model

-          Fig 29, there are some borders around the images, may you clan them

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It should be reconsidered 

Author Response

We appreciate the comments of the reviewer and hope that we have sufficiently incorporated them into the manuscript. Please find the answers in the attached file.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

In this study, the focus was on enhancing the load-carrying capacity of clinched joints, a mechanical joining method that avoids the use of heat or additional components. Clinching technology is commonly employed in various industries, particularly as an alternative to spot resistance welding in the automotive sector. However, it is known that clinched joints generally have lower load-bearing capacity compared to resistance spot welded joints.

To address this issue, experimental tests were conducted on clinched joints with locally modified microstructures. The goal was to optimize the placement of these modified microstructures within the joint to enhance its load-carrying capacity. The microstructure distribution in the clinched joint region was analyzed using light and scanning electron microscopy, along with microhardness measurements.

Two material grades, namely micro-alloyed steels HX420LAD+Z and dual-phase ferritic-martensitic steels HCT600X+Z, were examined in this study. Each material grade underwent five groups of ten samples, with identical experimental conditions involving local heating through resistance spot welding (RSW) and clinching.

The results indicated that the application of RSW to the clinched joint area led to an increase in the load-bearing capacity for both types of materials. This finding suggests that the combination of RSW and clinching has the potential to enhance the overall strength and performance of clinched joints. Further analysis and testing could provide valuable insights for improving the load-carrying capacity of clinched joints in practical applications.

The manuscript shows promise and has the potential to engage readers. However, there are some aspects that require attention and improvement before the article can be accepted.

The abstract would benefit from improvements, particularly in terms of including the key findings of the research. Enhancing the abstract to highlight the significant outcomes of the study would provide readers with a clear overview of the research and its implications. This can be achieved by providing a concise summary of the main findings and their relevance in the field. Additionally, incorporating specific details and quantitative results, if applicable, would further strengthen the abstract and attract readers' attention.

To enhance the introduction and broaden its appeal to readers, it would be beneficial to include a closely related topic such as self-piercing riveting. This addition will provide a valuable context and expand the scope of the research. Furthermore, incorporating recent literature reviews on self-piercing riveting will serve to strengthen the introduction by showcasing the current state of knowledge and the significance of the topic. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acme.2017.06.003 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijlmm.2018.02.002. By referencing relevant studies, the introduction will establish a connection between the research being presented and the broader field, attracting a wider readership.

The experimental setup lacks clarity regarding the positioning of the two materials, specifically HX420LAD+Z and HCT600X+Z. To ensure clarity and enable a comprehensive analysis, it is essential to clearly label which material is placed on top in the joint configuration. This labeling will help researchers and readers understand the specific arrangement and facilitate comparisons between the joint performances of the two materials. Additionally, it would be valuable to explore the joint performance when the positions of the materials are swapped, allowing for a thorough examination of the effects of different configurations on the overall results.

To enhance clarity and avoid confusion, it is necessary to incorporate the group formation presented in Figure 29 into the experimental investigation. By including this group formation, readers will have a better understanding of the specific experimental setups and can easily relate the findings to the corresponding groups. Additionally, in line 151, a group related to high-strength steels was mentioned, but no corresponding mention of high-strength steel is observed in Table 2. To address this discrepancy, it is important to provide a clear and explicit explanation of the materials and grouping in order to avoid any confusion among readers. Providing a comprehensive overview of the materials used in each group and clearly outlining the corresponding experimental setups will ensure that readers can accurately interpret the results and draw meaningful conclusions from the study.

 

Please provide the full details of the die profile.

Author Response

We appreciate the comments of the reviewer and hope that we have sufficiently incorporated them into the manuscript. Please find the answers in the attached file.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

My thoughts on the manuscript are included in the following. Here are some recommended modifications.

The abstract does not articulate the study's contribution and the practical consequences of its findings. The authors need to make the study's relevance and the potential applications of their findings very evident.

Specifics about the process of optimisation

It is not obvious how the positioning of the locally changed microstructures within the joint was optimised initially. The authors need to offer more information on the optimisation method.

Experimental setup

A more in-depth description of the experimental setup and technique is required so that the results of this study may be replicated and compared to those of other research efforts.

The capability of bearing load possessed by the joints

The authors need to offer further details on the load-carrying capability of the joints and the measurement methods used. In addition to that, they should evaluate their findings in light of those gained from many other investigations.

Constraints imposed by the study

The authors need to highlight their work's limits and offer suggestions for further investigation.

An analysis of the relevant literature:

The literature review in the article needs to be enhanced to provide more context and background information on the subject. The writers ought to do a literature search and mention other research that is pertinent to the topic of clinching technology.

Diagram of the process:

To better demonstrate the approach applied in the research, including a flow chart or schematic design of the experimental setup and the optimisation process would be beneficial.

Guidelines reference:

The writers are responsible for referencing the guidelines or standards they adhered to carry out the testing, such as the ASTM or ISO standards. This will assist the readers in comprehending the testing techniques and comparing the results to other research that has been published.

Examples taken from the real world The study's authors have to supply examples taken from the actual world or applications in which the examined materials have been utilised or may be employed. The reader would then have a better understanding of the future ramifications of the study's findings as well as the practical consequences of the investigation.

 

In general, the study reveals some intriguing findings about improving the load-carrying capability of clinched joints. However, the authors should respond to the points made above to make their work more understandable and applicable.

 

 

Author Response

We appreciate the comments of the reviewer and hope that we have sufficiently incorporated them into the manuscript. Please find the answers in the attached file.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Thank you for the report 

Double check, please 

Reviewer 2 Report

The manuscript has improved and the authors have sufficiently addressed all the reviewer's concerns. It is acceptable now.

Reviewer 3 Report

A proofread is required to check the overall grammer of the article.