Prediction of nugget development during resistance spot welding using coupled thermal–electrical–mechanical model

Abstract

An axisymmetric finite element model employing coupled thermal–electrical–mechanical analysis of resistance spot welding is presented. The welding parameters considered include: heat generation at the faying surface and the workpiece–electrode surface; Joule heating at the workpiece and the electrode; and the thermal contact conductance between the electrode and the workpiece. The latent heat of phase change due to melting is accounted for. The effect of friction coefficient on the workpiece interface is also studied. The computed results agree well with the experimental data. Heat generation at the faying surface in the initial stages of welding dominates the nugget development, and Joule heating at long times governs the weld nugget growth. A parametric study is carried out for the nugget growth with specific consideration of resistance spot welding of Al alloys. Process control and modelling of resistance spot welding of Al alloys is more difficult than that for steel because of their high electrical and thermal conductivity and low melting point.     

Analysis of workpiece magnetisation on liquid nugget during resistance spot welding

This paper investigates the effect of workpiece magnetisation on the magnetic flux density and nugget shape during resistance spot welding (RSW) process. To this end, this paper analyses the magnetisation process of ferromagnetic workpieces. The magnetisation was calculated by the equivalent surface current. The effect of magnetisation on the nugget shape was studied for RSW of steel and a specially designed aluminium workpiece. The results show that the magnetisation of ferromagnetic workpieces will increase the dimensions of the weld nugget in the thickness direction. The magnetic flux density induced by workpiece magnetisation and that induced by welding current have the same order of magnitude (10^?1 T). This indicates that the magnetisation of ferromagnetic workpiece is an important source of magnetic force acting on liquid nugget. Therefore, it should not be ignored in studying the physics of RSW process, especially for the fluid flow in RSW of ferromagnetic materials.     

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.     

Numerical simulation of spot welding for galvanised sheet steels

Abstract

Galvanised sheet steels are now widely used to be the substrate for body in white (BIW) construction in the automotive industry. Weldability of galvanised sheet steels much worsened compared to spot welding of low carbon steels. The present paper develops a 2D axisymmetric model and employs an incremental coupled thermal–electrical–mechanical analysis to predict the nugget development during resistance spot welding (RSW) of galvanised sheet steels. Temperature dependent contact resistance for faying surfaces was determined to take into account of the influence of zinc coat for spot welding galvanised sheet steels. The effect of dynamic contact radii on temperature distribution was studied and compared with results under constant contact area assumption. The predicted nugget shape and size agreed well with the experimental data. Higher current and longer welding time should be applied for galvanised sheet steels compared to low carbon steel spot welding. The proposed model can be applied to predict weld quality and choose optimal welding conditions for spot welding galvanised sheet steels.     

铝合金电阻点焊过程的有限元模拟

建立了铝合金电阻点焊过程的有限元分析模型，采用基于显微接触理论的接触电阻模型模拟点焊过程中试件与试件界面上的接触电阻。计算获得了焊接过程中电极／试件和试件／试件接触界面上接触半径的变化，以及试件间界面上压应力、电流密度和温度的分布。试验考察了熔核的形成和长大过程。比较表明，计算与试验测量结果符合很好，证实了所采用的接触电阻模型在铝合金电阻点焊模拟中的正确性和适用性。     

Numerical analysis of single sided spot welding process used in sheet to tube joining

Abstract

As a new kind of lightweight structure, hydroformed tubes are now widely used in vehicle bodies. The single sided spot welding (SSSW) is a variation of resistance welding used in joining hydroformed closed tubular parts and vehicle structures. During the process of SSSW, large deformation and complex contact status of the workpieces occur because there is no inside support. The time variation of the contact region and pressure distribution changes the flow paths for electric current timely and brings a fierce shunting at the position far away from the axis line, which prevents the heat concentration at the faying surface of workpieces. The characteristics of SSSW different from those of classical resistance welding mentioned above make it difficult to determine rational welding processing parameters for SSSW. In the present paper, a comprehensive structural–thermoelectric model is established. Using the incrementally coupled analysis of finite element analysis, the electrical, thermal and mechanical aspects of sheet to tube process using SSSW are investigated. The mechanical characteristic of specimens during the squeeze and welding progress, the electric current density transient distribution, the nugget formation process, and the effects of welding parameters for SSSW are discussed. It is found that ring nugget is obtained by sheet to tube SSSW. Modifying electrode force during welding cycle is a valid method to obtain acceptable nugget with shorter welding time or less energy. The calculated results of nugget size and location are in good agreement with those of experimental observations.     

Numerical study of electrode geometry effects on resistance spot welding

Abstract

This work numerically investigates the geometrical effects of the electrode containing a coolant hole on transport variables during resistance spot welding. The model accounts for transient magneto-fluid mechanics, heat and species transport, bulk resistance in workpiece, and film and constriction resistances at contact interfaces. The computed results show that electrode cooling due to the coolant hole influences transport processes during not only freezing and cooling periods but also heating and melting periods. Electrode cooling can be interpreted by thermal resistance, depending on the shapes of the electrode and coolant hole within the growing thermal diffusion layer. Major factors affecting electrode cooling are different in distinct time stages. In most cases, enhanced electrode cooling due to the coolant hole decreases the electrode temperature and nugget growth rate. A decrease in the electrode face radius strongly increases nugget growth rate and workpiece temperature and decreases electrode temperature, whereas its effect on cooling rate is insignificant. The optimum design and sensitivity analysis of the electrode shapes subject to required cooling rate, nugget growth rate and welding time are revealed.     

电极点蚀形貌对铝合金电阻点焊的影响

采用有限元分析和物理模拟相结合的方法,研究了环形和孔形两种电极点蚀形貌对铝合金AA5182电阻点焊的影响.结果表明,环形点蚀使两试件间接触半径增大,电流幅值基本不变而峰值略外移,所得熔核直径略有增大;孔形点蚀使试件间接触半径增大更为显著,电流密度降低,且由于此时界面中部没有电流流过,材料不能熔化,只能形成环形熔核.孔形点蚀使点焊接头强度大大降低,其对接头强度的不利影响远大于环形点蚀.     

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

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.     

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.     

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.     

Expulsion monitoring in spot welded advanced high strength automotive steels

Abstract

Although there have been a number of investigations on monitoring and controlling the resistance spot welding (RSW) of low carbon galvanised steels, those of advanced high strength steels (AHSS) are limited. A data acquisition system was designed for monitoring weld expulsion via the measurement of voltage, current, electrode force and displacement and the calculation of resistance. The dynamic resistance, electrode force and tip displacement were characterised and correlated with the phenomenon of expulsion during RSW of dual phase (DP) steel using an ac welder. Two control strategies for DP600 spot welding were proposed on the basis of the rate of change in the dynamic resistance and the electrode force.     

Effects of surface conditions on resistance spot welding of Mg alloy AZ31

Abstract

In this work, resistance spot welding of Mg alloy AZ31 sheets was investigated in as received and acid cleaned surface conditions. As received sheets had higher contact resistance which required lower current thresholds for weld initiation and for four root t nugget size (where t is sheet thickness). However, it also led to both serious expulsion and internal defects. The fracture mode of welds in as received sheets was interfacial failure while that of the acid cleaned specimens shifted from interfacial to nugget pullout and exhibited better strength. The acid cleaned sheets also produced less damage on electrode tip faces.     

The small-scale resistance spot welding of refractory alloy 50Mo-50Re thin sheet

This paper is a review of the recent studies of small-scale resistance spot welding (SSRSW) of a refractory alloy 50Mo-50Re thin sheet (0.127 mm thick). The effects of seven important welding parameters—hold time, electrode material, electrode shape, ramp time, weld current, electrode force, and weld time—were studied systematically in an attempt to optimize the welding quality. The diameter of a weld nugget was found to be only 30–40% of the electrode diameter in SSRSW. This was due to the relatively low electrode force used in SSRSW compared with the high electrode force employed in large-scale resistance spot welding (LSRSW) where the diameter of the nugget was almost 100% of the electrode diameter. Large pores often found in the nugget during SSRSW could result from shrinkage during solidification due to fast cooling or fromdue to agglomeration of residual volatile elements absorbed during powder metallurgy processing of the material.     

电阻点焊熔核形成过程磁流体动力学分析

引入磁流体动力学理论,采用解析方法对电阻点焊熔核形成过程中电场、磁场、热场、流场及其相互耦合进行了系统的分析,揭示了点焊熔核形成过程中各物理场的特征,以及它们相互作用对熔核内熔化金属流动的影响规律.研究发现,在焊接电流及其感应磁场相互作用产生的磁场力的作用下,熔化金属磁流体仅仅在通过电极轴对称轴的对称平面内绕四个核心做旋转运动,并且金属流动开始于结合面,最大速度也出现在结合面上.这为进一步通过有限元方法深入研究电阻点焊熔核形成多物理场耦合过程提供了重要的简化依据.     

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.     

Investigation of induced magnetic force on liquid nugget during resistance spot welding

Abstract

This paper investigates the source, magnitude and direction of magnetic force on the liquid nugget during resistance spot welding (RSW). High speed photography was used to observe the nugget formation process during half-sectioned RSW of steel (ferromagnetic substance) and aluminium alloy (paramagnetic substance). The induced magnetic force acting on half-sectioned and regular nugget was afterwards analysed and calculated. The results show that in the case of steel RSW, the magnetised workpieces generated a very strong magnetic field around the spot welding zone, while weak magnetic field appeared in the case of aluminium alloy RSW. This strong magnetic field causes a strong convection in the liquid nugget of steel even when the welding current is low. This strong convection will promote that the dimensions of nugget in the steel RSW become larger and closer to rectangle (observed on the cross-section) than in the aluminium alloy RSW.     

基于有限元的铁磁物质电阻点焊磁场分布分析

根据电阻点焊机构电流回路特点,利用ANSYS软件建立了铁磁性物质电阻点焊时磁场计算的有限元模型,计算了点焊过程中电流密度分布电场分布与磁感应强度分布,并采集了点焊过程中工件周围的磁感应强度,与模拟结果相比,验证模型的可靠性.结果表明,电流密度、电场强度与磁感应强度均在工件内达到最大.在铁磁性工件内部最大磁感应强度达到7 T,说明铁磁物质的磁化磁场在熔核形成、生长过程中的作用不应忽视.验证试验的测量值与计算值吻合良好,表明文中建立的有限元模型是可靠的.     

Online quality inspection of resistance spot welded joint based on electrode indentation using servo gun

Abstract

Resistance spot welding is one of the major joining techniques widely used for car body assembly. Weld quality may significantly influence the durability and reliability of the automobile body. Automotive manufacturers often rely on destructive testing and monitoring variables which indirectly reflected weld quality to assess the weld quality and control the welding process. However, these approaches have inherent limitations and are difficult to be implemented in plant environments. Therefore, it is imperative to develop an online inspection method to evaluate weld quality. In the present study, a method of producing a series of substantially uniform spot welds between two metal parts using a servomotor driven movable electrode and an axially opposing fixed electrode is proposed. The indentation in the workpiece surface is suitably measured by the displacement of the movable electrode as it applies an electrode force and welding current is passed through the weld site of the workpiece. The optimal indentation range is determined by peel test and metallographic examinations with respect to various sheet gages and grades. Consequently, online weld quality inspection results are achieved based on developed optimal indentation range.     

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.