Experimental analysıs of the life of resistance spot welding elektrode used in the automotive endustry and

EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS OF THE LIFE OF RESISTANCE SPOT WELDING ELECTRODE USED IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY AND RESEARCH IN TERMS OF QUALITY ASSURANCE SUMMARY Keywords : Welding, Spot Welding, Life Cycle of Electrod, Automotive, Quality Assurance Nowadays production and service quality have become very crucial for producers and consumers people. In order to save and increase the market share, so many firms both in production and service sectors are working on the quality system installation processes. In this study titled "Experimental Analysis of The Life Of Resistance Spot Welding Electrode Used In The Automotive Industry And Research In Terms Of Quality Assurance", after a brief introduction, the principle of resistance spot welding, weld equipment, parametres affecting the weld quality, tests that are used to measure the mechanical properties of spot welds are explained. Nextly, the resistance spot welding applications in automotive industry and several types of resistance spot welding machines are presented. In the following chapter, electrodes used in resistance spot welding are introduced and finally tests for the life analysis of a given cap electrode are explained and the results are interpreted. After the brief introduction in the first chapter, principles of resistance and resistance spot welding, equipment for this welding method, resistance spot welding cycles, arrangements for direct and series welding, applications, advantages and limitations of this type of welding, unsatisfactory surface conditions, welding schedules and tests used to determine the weld quality are presented in the second chapter. Applications of resistance spot welding in the automotive industry and the types of resistance spot welding machines are also introduced in this chapter. In the third chapter, electrodes used in resistance spot welding are introduced. In this chapter, function of electrode materials, electrode design, electrode holders, effect of electrode composition and design on heating and works undertaken for electrode life are explained. Standards about electrodes for resistance spot welding are also stated in this chapter. xiiiTests held for determining the life of a cap electrode used in resistance spot welding are explained in the fourth chapter. In this chapter, selection of materials to be used in the tests, determination of weld parameters that will be kept constant during the tests, the results of the measurements made throughout the test and graphical representations showing the variations of these results with the increasing number of spot welds are presented. In this work, also a visual guide is given for observing the deformations occurring at the tip of the cap electrodes, the welds and the weld nuggets during the tests. Finally, the results of these tests are discussed. XIV