Spot Welding
Questions and Answers
This is the description of a typical cosmetic weld where one surface must be preserved as is. All heat and distortion must come from the other side, we will call it the back side. To do this a large “FLAT” faced RWMA “C” electrode is used on the good side. On the back side an RWMA “A” or pointed nose or in this specific case one with a face of 1.5 mm (0.060”).
The weld schedule should be designed to generate the heat from the back side and stop as the weld nugget just begins to grow into the top sheet. This will not be the best weld that could be produced. It will be a tack weld just good enough to hold the part together until the braze is made.
If discoloration is an issue water misting cooling, a gas shield or any other means could be used to prevent heat or oxidation on the one side.
COSMETIC WELD NUGGET MOSTLY IN ONE COMPONENT
Reference: RWMA - Resistance Welding Manual 4th Edition
The answer to this is there is none. One can measure a weld nugget after it is made. One cannot calculate a weld nugget in advance, since one has not preset any of the variables of the process. The simple variables are squeeze, weld and hold. They quickly expand into force/pressure, electrode material, electrode wear and face size, coating pick up on electrode face, material being welded, surface condition, coating and on and on. There are many more but we will stop here. All of these variables will influence changes in the weld schedule that will directly change the size of the weld nugget.
The resultant pulled weld nugget is measured with a set of calipers in two directions, 90 degrees apart.
This is how to measure a weld nugget.
No one has the ability to predict with calculatable accuracy what nugget size a given set up will produce.
Welding guns use special copper alloy arms/adapters which function as electrode holders. They attach to the gun on one end and have a cap taper at the other for the electrode. They are frequently called cap adapters.
CAP ADAPTERS
With time these adapters wear out. A common failure mode is the electrode taper.
The question is can cap adapters be repaired?
A faulty bend or cracked adapter is not repairable.
Tapers are being repaired. This is done on a limited basis depending upon the application, design and condition of the adapter. Keep in mind a repaired adapter is not as strong will not have the life of a new adapter. Repaired adapter could be held in reserve for when new adapters are not available.
A new adapter is the better choice for production line continuity.
Reference: Photo courtesy of -Tuffaloy Resistance Welding Products Catalog
Generally, when spot welding with the same electrode on both sides of the weld, the resulting weld nugget is smaller than the electrode face diameter. To obtain a nugget larger than the electrode face diameter extra growth time and or heat is applied to accommodate additional growth. Pulsing is a common method used to do this.
Without some extra time or heat it is not common to see nuggets larger than the electrode face. That is not to say it is not impossible. If one works out a schedule that has the heat over a long enough period with sufficient heat to grow the nugget without creating expulsion – IT CAN BE DONE!
This question has already been answered by another article in this blog.
"WHY DO I HAVE SURFACE EXPULSION?"
The only additional comment is that the galvanized zinc coating melts at a low temperature and is very prone to expulsion and could contribute to the popping sounds. This could be item 5 under least prevalent causes. Otherwise below is:
"WHY DO I HAVE SURFACE EXPULSION?"
Surface expulsion is caused when the part surface heats up. So anything which would cause this, could be a reason. The appearance is similar to interface expulsion. In this case we are looking for conditions which cause the contact surface heat to be high.
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