Spot welding electrode life tests on aluminium sheet - Effect of machine characteristics and welding schedule

TWI Technology Briefing 51 - November 1977

R M Rivett and S A Westgate

FULL REPORT

Work carried out on three machines of differing mechanical characteristics showed that electrode life was independent of this parameter. The effect of dual pressure was investigated on one machine and it was found that lives could be extended from an average of 1300 welds, the life ending as a result of solidification cracking, to more than 3000 by increasing the forge load from 3.1 to 7.8kN. In the latter case the lives ended due to electrode sticking. Electrode life increased with increased forge level but the timing of the forge initiation must be precisely controlled so that it occurs at the end of the last current cycle. The extension in life is lost if the initiation is delayed by one cycle.

Member Report No. 51-1977
Spot welding electrode life tests on aluminium sheet - Effect of machine characteristics and welding schedule

Copyright by TWI, 1999