V 4.2 120 Volt Spot Welder 8630196
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ELECTRODE TIPS
Copper is the base metal normally used for resistance spot welding tongs and tips. The purpose of the
electrode tips is to conduct the welding current to the workpiece, to be the focal point of the pressure applied
to the weld joint, to conduct heat from the work surface, and to maintain their integrity of shape and
characteristics of thermal and electrical conductivity under working conditions.
Electrode tips are made of copper alloys and other materials. The Resistance Welders Manufacturing
Association (RWMA) has classified electrode tips into two groups:
Group A – Copper based alloys
Group B – Refractory metal tips
The groups are further classified by number. Group A, Class I, II, III, IV, and V are made of copper alloys.
Group B, Class 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 are the refractory alloys.
Group A, Class I electrode tips are the closest in composition to pure copper. As the Class Number
goes higher, the hardness and annealing temperature values increase, while the thermal and electrical
conductivity decreases.
Group B compositions are sintered mixtures of copper and tungsten, etc., designed for wear resistance and
compressive strength at high temperatures. Group B, Class 10 alloys have about 40 percent the conductivity of
copper with conductivity decreasing as the number value increases. Group B electrode tips are not normally
used for applications in which resistance spot welding machines would be employed.
PRACTICAL USES OF RESISTANCE SPOT WELDING
WARNING! Spot welding can be hazardous. Read and follow the safety precautions at the front of the
manual as well as all labels on the equipment.
Resistance spot welding techniques do not require extensive or elaborate safety precautions. There are some
common sense actions that can, however, prevent injury to the operator.
Anytime work is being done in a shop, it is a wise rule to wear safety glasses. Resistance spot welding is no
exception to the rule! Very often metal or oxides are expelled from the joint area. Protection of the face and
especially the eyes is necessary to prevent serious injury.
Another area of concern is ventilation. This can be a serious when resistance spot welding galvanized metals
(zinc coated) or metals with other coatings such as lead. The fumes from the welding operation have a certain
toxicity which will cause illness to the operator. Proper ventilation can reduce the fume concentration in the
welding area.
As explained in the preceding discussion on the fundamentals of resistance spot welding, there is a definite
relationship between time, current, and pressure. Current and pressure help create the heat in the weld nugget.
If the weld current is too low for the application, current density is too weak to make the weld. This condition
will also overheat the electrode tips which can cause them to anneal, mushroom, and possibly be
contaminated. Even though time is increased, the amount of heat generated is less than the losses due to
radiation and conduction in the workpiece and thermal conduction of the electrodes. The result is the
possibility, with long weld times at low currents, of overheating the entire base metal area between the
electrodes. This could cause burning of the top and bottom surfaces of the workpiece as well as possibly
imbedding the electrode tips in the workpiece surfaces.
As current density is increased, the weld time is decreased proportionately. If, however, the current density
becomes too high, there is the possibility of expelling molten metal from the interface of the joint thereby
weakening the weld. The ideal time and current density conditions is somewhere just below the level of
causing metal to be expelled.