Global Approach on the Shear and Cross Tension Strength of Resistance Spot Welded Thin Steel Sheets

Several correlations from the professional literature describing the shear and cross tension strength (STS and CTS) of resistance spot welded (RSWed) thin steel sheets were investigated. Some of them need chemical composition or weld nuggets strength hardness as input parameters, making them hardly applicable in the planning stage of the joints. Using STS and CTS data collected from over 250 papers, selected correlations were tested, whether they are applicable to predict the STS and CTS of the RSWed joints at the planning stage to help designers plan their static-loaded welds strength. Most correlations had limitations in the applicable base materials' tensile strength range. Therefore, new equations for STS and CTS are proposed, which can be used to plan in the 300–18900 MPa base metals tensile strength range for similar and dissimilar RSWed joints of thin steel sheets.