A Quick Overview About Spot Welding

Blog | February 11th, 2021

Welding, in general, is a fabrication process that is intended to utilise heat, pressure, or both in joining two or more parts. The combined workpiece is then allowed to cool so it can stay intact. Elements of heat and pressure are maximised as the parts are melted for them to be together. Most of the materials that are often used for welding are metals and thermoplastics.

There are numerous types of welding that can be used by industries. But one notable welding type that can be effective for certain materials is spot welding. Spot welding features processes and properties that makes it very helpful in creating different kinds of weldments.

The Main Principles behind Spot Welding

Spot welding, which is also known as resistance spot welding, is a welding process that can be used for combining two or more metal sheets. This type of welding obtains pressure and heat from an electric current and applies them to the weld area. These elements are generated as the copper alloy electrodes interact to the surfaces of the metal sheets. Recognised as one of the oldest welding processes out there, spot welding is carried out withoutneeding any filler material.

As the pressure and heat are transferred to the weld pieces, the materials of these pieces melt until they fuse completely. Once the fusion of the parts starts, the current is turned off while the pressure from the electrodes is maintained. These conditions stay constant until the parts solidify.

For the electrodes to be transferred effectively, spot welding utilises copper as it has high thermal conductivity and low electrical resistance. The amount of heat needed for the welding process generally relies on the thermal conductivity and electric resistance of the metal materials.

Compatible Materials and Applications

There are a lot of metal materials that can be used for spot welding. Low carbon steel is often considered for spot welding given that it has lower thermal conductivity and higher electrical resistance compared to other metals. While high carbon steels are technically part of the steel family, they are known to be susceptible to cracks as they can easily form hard and brittle microstructures during the welding process.

Zinc coated steels can also work with spot welding. However, the electrodes must be exchanged regularly. The electrode tip surface must also be free from contaminants during the welding process.

Other materials that can be spot welded are stainless steels, nickel alloys, and titanium.

A lot of industries have been utilising spot welding in creating and manufacturing different parts and products. Some of these industries include automotive, aerospace, metal furniture, electronics, and construction. High volume manufacturing lines and plants can significantly benefit from this type of welding process given that the spot welding process can be automated.

Obtain Reliable and High-Quality Spot Welder

If you want to acquire reliable and high-quality spot welder, feel free to call us at McKean’s Sheetmetal Fabricators. Our experienced design team can work with you from the basic ideas through to the manufacture and installation of your finished work.

 

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