Connection Status Research of the Resistance Spot Welding Joint Based on a Rectangular Terminal Electrode

Rectangular terminal electrode is adopted in this research to conduct a resistance spot welding (RSW) process on stainless steel plate. The connection status of RSW joints under different welding current, time, and pressure were studied, and revealed how the rectangular terminal electrode shape and its dimensions influence the RSW joint dimensions. The process analysis results showed that the RSW nuggets welded with rectangular terminal electrode are normally elliptical in shape, and the dimensions of the long axis direction and the short axis direction have a certain proportion. As the welding current increases, the nuggets dimensions in long direction increase first and then decrease, and the internal grain structure also varies. As the welding time increases, the nugget size in long direction increase first and then steady and rarely splash occurs. As the welding pressure increase, the nugget dimensions in long direction increase first and then decrease, and the splash easily occurs under large welding pressure. However, when the welding pressure is too small, the unique adjacent double fusion nugget formed. By adopting proper welding parameters, the nugget size and quality can be controlled. This provides an important basis for the application of rectangular terminal electrode in RSW welding process.