Abstract
In this study, welding phenomena involved in formation of penetrators during high frequency electric resistance welding were investigated. High speed cinematography of the process revealer that a molten bridge between neighboring skelp edges forms at apex point and travels along narrow gap toward to welding point at a speed ranging from 100 to 400 m/min. The bridge while moving along the narrow gap swept away oxide containing molten metal from the gap, providing oxide-free surface for a forge-welding at upsetting stand frequency of the budge formation, travel distance and speed of the bridge were affected by the heat input rate into strip. The travel distance and its standard deviation were found to have a strong relationship with the weld defect density. Based on the observation, a new mechanism of the penetrator formation during HF ERW process is proposed.