Abstract
Effect of welding parameters such as current, speed and electrode pressure on the weld quality of tin coated steels for small containers was discussed in this paper. Welding was performed with low frequency wire seam welding system which was loaded with 1.5mm in diameter copper wire electrode. The welding parameters were monitored at the position close to the welding spot so as to minimize the instrumentation error, and the signals were stored into a digital data acquisition system before analysis. Results showed that critical current for sufficient nugget size increased as the base material thickness increased, while the width of the optimum welding range was reduced. The acceptable welding condition derived from this study was found to be effective within the thickness range of $\pm$10% of the nominal (0.25mm) thickness. Tin coating layer was proved not to affect seriously on the weld quality, i.e. strength and formability, since consumable wire electrode was used in this process. Test results also demonstrated that the welding current was thought to be the most effective parameter to form an acceptable weld, while welding speed or electrode pressure exerted less effect on the nugget formation. However, these two parameters played an important role because the former was related to the nugget overlap interval, and the latter, to the formation of expulsion during welding.
