This article outlines a general approach to develop a coupled electrical-thermal-mechanical analysis for the resistance spot welding process. It provides information on the discretization of sheet-electrode geometry and distribution of contact resistivity along the sheet-sheet and electrode-sheet interfaces. The distribution can be estimated based on the discretized geometry used for the numerical modeling. The article also details the results obtained from this modeling.

This article focuses on the general internal state variable method, and its simplification, for single-parameter models, in which the microstructure evolution may be treated as an isokinetic reaction. It explains that isokinetic microstructure models are applied to diffusional transformations in fusion welding, covering particle dissolution, growth, and coarsening of precipitates in the heat-affected zone. The article discusses the versatility of the internal state variable approach in modeling of nonisothermal transformations for various materials and processes. It describes the process models applied to predict the microstructure evolution in Al-Mg-Si alloys during multistage thermal processing involving heat treatment and welding. The article also provides information on the microstructure models exploited in engineering design to optimize the load-bearing capacity of welded aluminum components.

Fusion welding induces residual stresses and distortion, which may result in loss of dimensional control, costly rework, and production delays. In thermal analysis, conductive heat transfer is considered through the use of thermal transport, heat-input, and material models that provide values for the applied welding heat input. This article describes how the solid-phase transformations that occur during the thermal cycle produced by welding lead to irreversible plastic deformation known as transformation plasticity. Residual stress and welding distortion are also discussed.

This article reviews the classical models for the pseudo-steady-state temperature distribution of the thermal field around moving point and line sources. These include thick- and thin-plate models and the medium-thick-plate model. The analytical solutions to the differential heat flow equation under conditions applicable to fusion welding are provided. The article also provides an overview of the factors affecting heat flow in a real welding situation using the analytical modeling approach because this makes it possible to derive relatively simple equations that provide the required background for an understanding of the temperature-time pattern.

The finished product, after fusion welding, may contain physical discontinuities due to excessively rapid solidification, adverse microstructures due to inappropriate cooling, or residual stress and distortion due to the existence of incompatible plastic strains. To analyze these problems, this article presents an analysis of the welding heat flow, with focus on the fusion welding process. It discusses the analytical heat-flow solutions and their practical applications. The article concludes with a description of the effects of material property and welding condition on the temperature distribution of weldments.

Dissimilar metal welding applications require careful control over the welding parameters and corresponding dilution level in order to produce welds with proper microstructure and properties for the intended service. This article reviews the relation between the dilution and bulk fusion-zone compositions and describes the effect of fusion welding parameters on dilution. It also provides typical examples of the microstructure and property control in dissimilar weld applications.

This article provides a comprehensive review and critical assessment of numerical modeling of heat and mass transfer in fusion welding. The different fusion welding processes are gas tungsten arc welding, gas metal arc welding, laser welding, electron beam welding, and laser-arc hybrid welding. The article presents the mathematical equations of mass, momentum, energy, and species conservation. It reviews the applications of heat transfer and fluid flow models for different welding processes. Finally, the article discusses the approaches to improve reliability of, and reduce uncertainty in, numerical models.

This article focuses on the necessary basics for thermomechanical fusion welding simulations and provides an overview of the specific aspects to be considered for a simulation project. These aspects include the required material properties, experimental data needed for validation of the simulation results, simplifications and assumptions as a prerequisite for modeling, and thermomechanical simulation. The article concludes with information on the sensitivity of the material properties data with respect to the simulation results. It also provides hints on the central challenge of having the right material properties at hand for a specific simulation task.

This article is a compilation of tables summarizing the fusion welding process. Included in the article is a table that presents the various fusion welding and cutting processes and their applications. Information on the general characteristics of arc welding processes is tabulated. The article also contains a list of the various criteria for selecting the suitable welding process for carbon steels.

This article discusses the principles of operation, equipment needed, applications, and advantages and disadvantages of various fusion welding processes, namely, oxyfuel gas welding, electron beam welding, stud welding, laser beam welding, percussion welding, high-frequency welding, and thermite welding.

Welding and joining processes are essential for the development of virtually every manufactured product. This article discusses the fundamentals of fusion welding processes, with an emphasis on the underlying scientific principles. It reviews the role of energy-source intensity and the width of the heat-affected zone in fusion welding processes. The article contains figures from which the properties of any heat source can be estimated readily.

During fusion welding, the thermal cycles produced by the moving heat source cause physical state changes, metallurgical phase transformation, and transient thermal stress and metal movement. This article presents an analysis of heat flow in the fusion welding process. The primary objective of welding heat flow modeling is to provide a mathematical tool for thermal data analysis, design iterations, or the systematic investigation of the thermal characteristics of any welding parameters. The article addresses analytical heat-flow solutions and their practical applications. It describes the effects of material property and welding condition on the temperature distribution of weldments. The thermal properties of selected engineering materials are provided in a table.