• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.30-35
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• 2014

According to weight lightning trend of automobile body, necessity of resistance spot welding (RSW) of Mg alloy on automobile industry is increasing rapidly because of the highest specific strength among commercial metals. Mg alloy has low electric resistance and high thermal conductivity like as Al alloy, so that needs applying high current in short time when welding. Thick oxide film of Mg alloy pollutes the electrodes and makes partial current carrying paths when on welding. Partial current carrying paths signify excessive concentration of current. There can initiate expulsion easily and reduces electrode life rapidly. Generating partial current carrying paths and expulsions are influenced by shapes of electrode. Therefore, electrode life also influenced by shape. In this study, we perform life test of RSW electrode of radius type. Measure tensile shear load and nugget size every spot alternately. As a result, radius type electrode can extend life over twice as dome type electrode.