Abstract
Effect of process parameters on the quality of condenser discharge weld for coated sheet steels was discussed. The welding specimens were coated with pure Zn of 20/20 g/m2 in the production line. Direct measurements of welding parameters such as the discharge current, the pressures and the voltage drop across the electrodes were carried out with welding process monitoring system. High speed camera was also utilized to analyze the weld formation process. Test results indicated that the relation between weld strength and applied energy was stabilized at the acceptable welding heat input range. It was thought that the acceptable welding heat input should be redefined based on the monitored data because the calculated value of the welding heat input could hardly be utilized if the discharge condition was changed. Mechanical test results and high speed photographs showed that expulsion deteriorated the weld quality and the strength at the same time especially when the size of the spatter was large enough to carry the molten metal, which should form the nugget, out of the welding spot. Results also demonstrated that the discharge current should be applied at the appropriate time during the process because sufficient nugget was not produced if the time was deviated from the optimum range.
