Non Destructive Methodology for Determination of the Indentation in the Resistance Spot Welding Process in Steel Plates Galvanized

The welding of galvanized steel plates, mostly takes place via the welding process to the resistance spot welding, especially in the automotive sector. Despite its advantages, which occurs when the melt pressure exerted by the electrode overcomes the resistance of the material culminating in a light penetration of the electrode base metal. This phenomenon is called indentation. In this context, this paper studied the indentation spot welded, in order to determine the penetration of the electrode through a non-destructive method. To this, were evaluated signals generated by a sensor which registers the displacement of the electrode during the phases of the welding process to the point, using as basis, the reading of thermal expansion of the galvanized steel sheet. The deepness of indentation was revealed graphically by the electrode of the displacement sensor compared the measurement performed with the probe clock by statistical methods. Evidence has shown that the electrode displacement signal, proved to be an efficient method for determination of the indentation in the welding process to the point electric resistance of galvanized steel sheets.