Effects of electrode contact condition on electrical dynamic resistance during resistance spot welding

Abstract

This study systematically investigates the effects of electrical resistance at the workpiece/electrode interface or electrode face on temperature dependent dynamic resistance during resistance spot welding (RSW). To evaluate temperature transport equations of mass, momentum, energy, species and magnetic field intensity in workpieces, the energy and magnetic equations in the electrode are solved. Contact resistances composed of constriction and film resistances are functions of hardness, temperature, electrode force and surface conditions. The results show that dynamic resistance is complicated due to different variations of film and constriction resistances with temperature at not only the faying surface but also the electrode face in the early stage, i.e. shorter than around 3 cycles. Dynamic resistance in this stage is fortunately insignificant to transport processes. When the power is off, dynamic resistance depends on competition between decreased bulk resistance and increased constriction resistance at the electrode face. Decreased constriction resistance at the electrode face reduces dynamic resistance and temperature.