An efficient method of spot welding Aluminium alloys with induction preheating

Abstract

Steel has been the material of choice for automobile manufacturers. In the recent years material such as aluminium and its alloys are taking over the market because of their light weight. The use of aluminium, in automobile manufacturing can result in overall fuel efficiency. Spot welding aluminium alloys require higher electric power and less welding time as compared to steel. Welding guns that can produce an electric current which is approximately 2 to 3 times higher, as compared to steel are required for spot welding aluminium. An efficient method of spot welding Aluminium alloys with the preheating process has been proposed in this paper. Preheating Aluminium sheet before spot welding reduces the thermal and electrical resistance which brings down the electric current requirement to spot weld Aluminium structures. Both spot welding and induction preheating process have been modelled in this paper. The test results of the preheating process have also been verified with practical heating trials. The preheating is performed on-the-fly in advance to spot welding process. The results show that spot welding Al 6082 after preheating up to 200oC, the output current requirements to make the spot weld are reduced by 22%.