Procedure Development and Practice Considerations for Resistance Welding^[1]

Resistance welding (RW) encompasses a group of processes in which the heat for welding is generated by the resistance to the flow of electrical current through the parts being joined. The three major resistance welding processes are resistance spot welding (RSW), resistance seam welding (RSEW), and projection welding (PW). This article addresses the considerations for using these processes to join specific types of materials. It discusses the process variations, applicability, advantages, and limitations of these resistance welding processes. The article provides information on flash welding, high-frequency resistance welding, and capacitor discharge stud welding. It concludes with a discussion on resistance welding of stainless steels, aluminum alloys, and copper and copper alloys.