Comparative study of small scale and ‘large scale’ resistance spot welding

Abstract

An incrementally coupled electrical–thermal–mechanical model is developed to simulate small scale resistance spot welding (SSRSW) using the finite element method. This numerical model is then employed to study the differences between SSRSW and ‘large scale’ resistance spot welding (LSRSW). The variations in contact area, current distribution, and temperature profile at the workpiece/workpiece interfaces are compared. The computation shows that the difference in electrode force could be the essential reason for other differences between SSRSW and LSRSW. Compared with LSRSW, a much lower electrode force (pressure) applied in SSRSW results in a relatively small contact area and hence a much higher current density, which in turn leads to a greater heating rate and higher temperature at the workpiece/workpiece interface. This small contact area also results in a relatively small nugget diameter in SSRSW, which is only about 30% of the electrode tip diameter. In contrast, the nugget diameter in LSRSW is comparable to the electrode tip diameter. The predicted nugget diameters in both SSRSW and LSRSW of mild steel sheets compare well with experimental results.     

Experimental study of single sided sheet to tube resistance spot welding

Abstract

To reduce weight and improve performance, hydroformed tubes are being widely used in automotive structure fabrication and the single sided sheet to tube resistance spot welding (SSRSW) is considered as a feasible method for joining a tube to other parts. However, in the sheet to tube SSRSW process, it is difficult to assure welding quality because of large welding deformation due to a lack of support inside the tube. The present paper investigates the influences of welding parameters, such as electrode force and welding current, on the welding deformation and quality of the sheet to tube SSRSW using electrode displacement and tensile shear tests. The effects of different electrode force patterns on the welding quality are investigated utilising the force characteristics of a servo gun. It is found that the welding deformation is influenced by both the electrode force and the welding current, and the tensile shear strength declines with larger electrode force and higher welding current. However, the tensile strength could be enhanced significantly and the welding deformation decreased greatly by reducing the electrode force in the welding stage or holding stage. In order to decrease manufacturing cost and improve weld quality, the reduced electrode force is recommended for the sheet to tube SSRSW process.     

Application of electrode force change in single sided resistance spot welding using servo gun

Abstract

Single sided resistance spot welding (SSRSW) is considered as a feasible method to join hydroformed or closed section parts to others in vehicle productions. Unfortunately, it is difficult to guarantee the weld quality utilising conventional air gun. Because of a lack of support inside the closed section parts, the impact of electrode driven by pneumatic gun will cause large deformation of the workpieces at the welding stage and will lead to a crack around weld region after welding completion. In addition, poor weldability is another pressing problem for welding operations. Servo gun with new gun driven method has some merits such as realising the soft touch between electrode and workpieces and changing electrode force during the welding process which are greatly suitable to the sheet to tube joining. Based on the characteristics of servo gun, the present paper investigates a new method to increase the weld quality of sheet to tube joining with SSRSW method. By adjusting the electrode force during the welding process, weld strength would be increased, weld deformation be decreased and weldability lobe curve be widened. The results verify that servo guns can provide high assurance for welding quality of sheet to tube joining and have broad prospect in SSRSW.     

基于二维DIC技术的电阻点焊板件变形分析

结合二维数字图像相关技术(DIC),针对焊接电流、通电时间及电极力对电阻点焊过程中工件翘曲变形量的影响规律进行了深入研究和讨论. 结果表明,利用二维DIC技术获得的工件变形过程与电阻点焊各个阶段相吻合,而且具有较高的精确度. 随着焊接电流和通电时间的增大,熔核形成造成的翘曲变形增大;随着电极力的增大,熔核形成造成的翘曲变形减小,同时电极下压造成的变形增大.二维数字图像相关技术在电阻点焊过程中的首次尝试为电阻点焊工艺的研究和焊接质量的提高提供了新的方法,对电阻点焊工艺的发展和完善具有重要意义.     

钛合金微电阻点焊电极间电压质量检测技术

文中针对微点焊的特点采用电压信号监控点焊质量.焊接过程中电压通过自动数据采集系统获取.首先分析并解释了电压曲线的变化趋势,指出电压曲线的峰值就是β峰值;进而从电压曲线中提取了4个特征值用于预测熔核直径并将其作为人工神经网络的输入.预测输出的熔核直径与实测直径的误差为0.13 mm,结果表明,利用电压信号监测钛合金微电阻点焊质量是一种非常有效、经济的手段.     

铝合金和低碳钢的电阻点焊数据特征

研究了电阻点焊过程中不同条件下的电极位移和电极压力的数据特征.试验设备为170 W逆变直流点焊机.采用多通道高速数据采集系统采集电极位移和压力数据,用MATLAB进行数据分析,比较了5182铝合金和低碳钢的点焊行为特征.结果表明,当熔核长大到一定程度后,铝合金熔核膨胀速率不会像低碳钢那样达到零值,且电极力会出现一个峰值,该峰值预示着熔核已经达到了足够的尺寸.     

基于正交试验法研究DP590点焊工艺

通过正交试验法研究DP590冷轧板电阻点焊性能。以剪切载荷为评价指标,通过极差分析和方差分析,研究工艺参数影响点焊接头拉剪载荷的显著程度,并获得DP590冷轧板的最优工艺参数,测量接头的熔核直径并分析其失效模式,观察接头显微组织。结果表明,焊接电流对剪切载荷的影响最为显著,其次为焊接时间,电极压力影响较小;最优工艺参数为:焊接电流8.5 k A,焊接时间360 ms,电极压力3.6 k N;当焊接电流大于5.5 k A时,接头失效模式均为熔核剥离失效;熔核区显微组织为板条状马氏体和贝氏体,热影响区组织为细小马氏体。     

热处理工艺对TRIP980钢板点焊性能的影响

采用不同焊接工艺对TRIP980钢板进行点焊试验,研究了焊接电流、焊前预热及焊后热处理工艺对点焊性能的影响. 结果表明,随着焊接电流的增大,焊点的熔核直径和拉剪力均增大,但当电流过大而发生飞溅时,焊点的熔核直径和拉剪力开始减小. 焊前预热工艺可提高点焊飞溅电流,进而可以获得更大的熔核直径及拉剪力. 在对焊点进行焊后热处理的情况下,当焊接电流与焊后热处理电流之间的冷却时间超过900 ms时,可显著改善熔核组织,降低熔核硬度,提高焊点拉剪力.     

22MnB5热成形钢点焊接头组织演变与性能分析

采用不同工艺参数对22MnB5热成形钢进行点焊试验,分析工艺参数对焊点性能的影响,并研究22MnB5热成形钢点焊接头组织演变及组织—性能关系. 结果表明,焊点熔核直径与拉剪力两者表现出正相关关系. 与电极压力相比,焊接电流对焊点力学性能具有更大的影响. 焊点各区域的组织演变导致了明显的硬度差异. 熔核区、过临界热影响区、亚临界热影响区及母材区均为马氏体组织. 临界热影响区为铁素体 + 马氏体双相组织,导致硬度显著降低. 该软化区增加了焊点失效时的承载能力及能量吸收能力,促使接头失效以“熔核拔出”方式发生.     

伺服焊枪在板管单面电阻点焊中的应用

针对板管单面电阻点焊可焊性范围较窄,焊接质量难以保证的问题,分析了伺服焊枪电极位置、运动速度和电极力可控特性在板管单面电阻点焊中的应用前景.结果表明,伺服焊枪的软接触特性可以避免冲击力对焊接工件的影响,从而保证板管良好的接触状态;利用伺服焊枪的可变电极力特性,在焊接过程中减小电极力,能够有效提高接头的抗剪强度,降低焊接变形,改善焊点外观,并且拓宽可焊性范围.伺服焊枪为板管单面点焊的焊接质量提供了有力保障,在板管单面电阻点焊中具有广阔的应用前景.     

铝合金电阻点焊的熔核形成过程

点焊过程中熔核形成过程对焊接结构的强度和耐用性具有非常重要的影响.文中采用高速摄像技术研究了焊接电流和电极压力对铝合金电阻点焊形核过程的影响.结果表明,铝合金电阻点焊熔核首先在工件/工件接触面中心处形成,然后沿着水平方向生长,同时垂直方向也有少量的生长,一直扩展到电极头端面直径.熔核尺寸在点焊前80 ms时迅速长大,120 ms后基本保持不变,表明过长的焊接时间是没有必要的.随着电极力的增加,工件会经历较大的塑性变形,导致没有熔核形成.因此常规点焊时,不应采用过高的电极压力.     

Effect of variable electrode force on weld quality in resistance spot welding

Abstract

Resistance spot weldability is defined as the acceptable welding current ranges as determined by the weld lobe in resistance spot welding. Nowadays many studies have focused on the effect of welding current and welding time under constant electrode force on the weld quality and weldability. There is little research on the influence of variable electrode force on the weld quality and weldability because of the difficulty in controlling variable electrode force using pneumatic gun. In the present study, first, the influence of three stages of electrode force, including squeeze force, welding force and forging force, on the quality of welds is analysed. Then a design of experiment approach is applied to analyse the influence of the three stages of electrode force on welding quality and thus to obtain optimum parameter of variable electrode force by controlling the electrode force with servo gun. The comparisons of tensile shear strength, nugget size, weld lobe width and wear rate of electrode tip between variable force and constant force are carried out. The results show that the weld quality and weldability can be increased evidently using optimum parameter of variable electrode force without accelerating the electrode wear rate.     

Optimization of parameters and study of joint microstructure of resistance spot welding of magnesium alloy

Experimental investigations on the DC spot welding of Mg alloy AZ31B are presented. Experiments are carried out to study the influence of spot welding parameters （ electrode force, welding heat input and welding time） on the tensile shear load and the diameter of nugget, based on an orthogonal test and analysis method. The optimum parameters are as follows： electrode force is 2 000 N, welding heat input is 80% and welding time is 6 cycles. The microstrueture of spot weld is single fine equiaxed crystals in the nugget, of which the structure is β-Mg17Al12 precipitated on α-Mg boundaries induced by nonequilibrium freezing. And the surface condition of the workpiece has great influence on the joint quality.     

轨道车辆不锈钢车体电阻点焊缺陷产生及预防工艺

结合生产实际情况,介绍了不锈钢电阻点焊基本原理、冷作硬化不锈钢板电阻点焊的工艺特性、轨道车辆不锈钢车体电阻点焊常见缺陷类型,如:焊核直径不符合要求、缩孔、飞溅、未熔合、熔透率不达标、过烧、焊点外观不良等。分析缺陷产生的原因并制定预防措施,如焊接电流、电极压力、通电时间、工件装配及电极形状材质等影响因素。通过相应的工艺手段,提升焊点质量,保障产品的焊接和商品化质量。     

变电极力对管板单面电阻点焊质量的影响

根据管板单面电阻点焊结构特点,建立了采用伺服焊枪的管板单面电阻点焊试验系统.针对管板焊接过程中变形大、形成环形熔核质量不可靠等问题,提出了基于改变焊接过程中电极力来提高焊点质量的方法,并研究变电极力对管板焊焊点强度及焊接变形影响的规律.结果表明,通电阶段熔核生成初期减小电极力,可明显提高焊点拉剪强度,减小焊接变形;冷却阶段减小电极力对焊点质量也有所提高,但影响较小.研究结果对管板焊接工艺参数的制定及单面电阻点焊在车身焊装中广泛安全的应用具有重要意义.     

Development of single-side resistance spot welding technology applying in-process welding current and electrode force controls

An indirect resistance spot welding process with single-side electrode access was developed for automotive applications. The variable controls of electrode force and welding current during welding were studied in order to achieve the promotion of weld nugget formation and the suppression of expulsion without sacrificing the productivity and design flexibility of automobiles. The welding experiments were performed on lapped test coupons of 0.7-mm-thick cold-rolled sheet with tensile strength of 270 N/mm² and 1.6-mm-thick cold-rolled sheet with tensile strength of 980 N/mm² using a resistance spot welding system consisting a servo-motor-controlled welding gun and an inverter DC power supply. Welding experiments verified that the occurrence of expulsion and formation of molten nugget were significantly influenced by the heat generation and melting process at an initial period during welding and manageable by applying the variable patterns of electrode force and welding current. When welding was performed under the large shunting condition simply with the constant force and current pattern of 400 N in electrode force, the appropriate current range was less than 1 kA. On the other hand, it extended to 2.6 kA when performed with the variable force and current pattern of 800 N in force and 4 kA in current at the first stage and 400 N in force at the second stage, confirming the fact that the variable pattern successfully suppressed the expulsion and promoted the nugget formation. Numerical simulations were conducted to compare the difference in welding phenomena between the constant force and current pattern and the variable force and current pattern and clarified that the effect of variable force and current pattern on the promotion of nugget formation and the suppression of expulsion.     

Numerical and experimental study of nugget size growth in resistance spot welding of austenitic stainless steels

A 2D axisymmetric electro-thermo-mechanical finite element (FE) model is developed to study the effect of welding time and current intensity on nugget size in resistance spot welding process of AISI type 304L austenitic stainless steel sheets using ANSYS commercial software package. In order to improve the accuracy, temperature-dependent properties of materials are taken into account during the simulation. The diameter and thickness of computed weld nuggets are compared with experimental results. The FE predicted weld nugget growth and nugget size agree well with experimental results. The effects of welding time and current intensity on nugget growth are also studied. Generally, increasing welding time and current is accompanied by an increase in the fusion zone size with a decreasing slope. However if expulsion occurs, nugget size reduces due to melt spattering. Except for an initial nugget formation stage, welding time has minor effect on nugget size in comparison with welding current.     

Quality evaluation in small-scale resistance spot welding by electrode voltage recognition

This study focuses on weld quality evaluation by electrode voltage in small-scale resistance spot welding of titanium alloy. Voltage curve could be divided into four stages based on the variation characteristic. The single voltage peak was detected as combined effects of increasing bulk material resistivity and nugget size. Variations of voltage curve shape, voltage peak and failure load were more sensitive to welding current than electrode force. A generalised regression neural network was proposed to evaluate weld quality using features extracted from voltage signal. A discrete Hopfield neural network was also applied for electrode voltage recognition. The recognised voltage patterns were found effective in identifying different quality levels. A real-time and on-line quality monitoring system could be developed.     

Finite element analysis of effect of electrode pitting in resistance spot welding of aluminium alloy

Abstract

The effect of electrode pitting on the formation of the weld nugget in resistance spot welding of an aluminium alloy was investigated using the finite element method. Pitted electrodes were simulated by assuming a pre-drilled hole of varying diameter at the centre of the electrode tip surface. The results showed that a small pitting hole would not have a detrimental influence on the nugget size. The actual contact area at the electrode/sheet interface did not change significantly when the diameter of the pitting hole was increased. However, a large pitted area at the electrode tip surface resulted in a greatly increased contact area and hence reduced current density at the sheet/sheet interface, which in turn led to the formation of an undersized weld nugget. The numerical calculation of the nugget shape and dimensions agreed well with experimental observations.     

压电致动器辅助电阻点焊工艺实现及飞溅控制

电阻点焊是一种多物理场耦合且封闭不可见的金属成形过程,焊接过程中电流大且通电时间短,电极力与熔核区热熔化程度匹配不当,极易造成飞溅问题,影响表面成形并降低焊点强度. 针对此问题,文中提出了一种压电致动器辅助电阻点焊的方法,利用压电致动器自身响应时间短、输出推力大的特点,将压电致动器辅助压力施加于焊接过程,实现电阻点焊过程中宏观静压力与压电致动器辅助快速动态可编程压力调节. 结果表明,压电致动器在电阻点焊气缸宏观预紧力下可实现可控的压力输出,不同频率的振动可辅助加载于原始压力波形之上,在保持焊接参数不变的情况下,压电致动器的振动输入可有效改善熔核区热分布,实现对焊接飞溅的抑制并增大熔核直径,综合提升接头性能.