New parametric study of nugget size in resistance spot welding process using finite element method

Resistance spot welding process (RSW) is one of important manufacturing processes in automotive industry for assembling bodies. Quality and strength of the welds and therefore body mainly are defined by quality of the weld nuggets. The most effective parameters in this process are: current intensity, welding time, sheet thickness and material, geometry of electrodes, electrode force, and current shunting. In present research, a mechanical-electrical-thermal coupled model in a finite element analysis environment is made using. Via simulating this process, the phenomenon of nugget formation and the effects of process parameters on this phenomenon are studied. Moreover, the effects of welding parameters on temperature of faying surface are studied. Using this analysis, shape and size of weld nuggets are computed and validated by comparing them with experimental results from published articles. The methodology developed in this paper provides prediction of quality and shape of the weld nuggets with variation of each process parameter. Utilizing this methodology assists in adjusting welding parameters so that costly experimental works can be avoided. In addition, the process can be economically optimized to manufacture quality automotive bodies. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.