Spot Welding
Questions and Answers
If a shop is currently joining steel and stainless steel components, depending on the design and part specifications, spot welds can be successfully used. To do this the part design must be such to alloy room for the spot welds in sufficient quantity, size and location to meet the specified strength requirements. The materials being welded must also be of sufficient strength, thickness and stack up or combination of to have the proper resultant spot weld strength.
There are instances where there is insufficient space to design a flange for the desired number or size of spot welds. In these cases the spot weld might be used as a locator and a MIG weld might be used to add sufficient strength to the joint.
Aluminum is a very conductive material. Therefore we know that it has a low resistance. If we look at Joules Law:
To generate heat, if the resistance is small the heat will have to come from either more current or time. In general numbers, low carbon steel will resistance welds at 10,000 amps. Aluminum resistance welds at 35,000 amps. This is a very high current for the electrode material to conduct. Therefor you would always select the most conductive copper alloy available. Class 1 is the material of choice for welding aluminum. Class 1 is a Copper Zirconium alloy. Its Alloy ID is C15000.
Standard full size electrode designs are specified by the Resistance Welding Manufacturing Alliance – RWMA. These designs can be found in the RWMA Resistance Welding Manual. The RWMA standard sizes are #4, #5, #6 and #7. These sizes represent full size electrodes with body dimensions of 1/2”, 5/8”, 3/4” and 7/8” diameter respectively. These electrodes can be purchased in RWMA Class 1, 2 or 3 materials. RWMA face configurations A, B, C, D, E and F are standard. Full size electrodes are stocked in sizes 4, 5, & 6 in most Classes of material and nose designs. Size 7 is available is some configurations. Full size electrodes are available in overall lengths from 1to 4”.
Standard female cap designs are specified by the Resistance Welding Manufacturers Alliance – RWMA. These designs can be found in the RWMA Resistance Welding Manual. The standard sizes are #4, #5 and #6. These sizes represent female cap electrodes with body sizes of ½”, 5/8” and ¾” Diameter body sizes respectively. These electrodes can be purchased in RWMA Class 1, 2 or 3 materials. RWMA Face configurations A, B, C, D, E and F are standard. Female caps are stocked in these sizes and are usually available from stock in most standard nose configurations.
Standard male cap designs are specified by the Resistance Welding Manufacturing Alliance – RWMA. These designs can be found in the RWMA Resistance Welding Manual. The standard sizes are #4, #5 and #6. These sizes represent male cap electrodes with body sizes of ½”, 5/8” and ¾” Diameter body sizes respectively. Caps can be purchased in RWMA Class 1, 2 or 3 materials. RWMA Face configurations A, B, C, D, E and F are standard. Male caps are stocked in these sizes and are usually available from stock in most standard nose configurations.
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