The effects of electrode force, welding current and welding time on the resistance spot weldability of pure titanium

In this study, commercially pure titanium sheets (American Society for Testing and Materials grade 2) were welded by resistance spot welding at various welding parameters. The welded joints were subjected to tensile-shearing tests in order to determine the strength values. In addition, the hardness and microstructural examinations were carried out in order to examine the influence of welding parameters on the welded joints. The experimental results showed that increasing electrode force, welding current and welding time increased the tensile-shearing strength of the welded specimens. Hardness measurement results indicated that welding nugget had the highest hardness and this was followed by the heat-affected zone and the base metal. Microstructural examinations showed the growth of the weld nugget grains with increasing heat input. Besides, due to plastic deformation during the welding process, twins were formed and at the same time twins increased with increasing electrode force, welding current and welding time.