Experimental investigation on the mechanical properties of resistance seam welding of thin sheet

In the presents research an experimental investigation was conducted on the resistance seam welding of thin sheets of thickness 0.2 mm for packaging application. The most difficult issues in such sectors are reducing product weight without compromising weld strength. The machines used in such industries are of certain specifications. Major modifications in the machine are very costly. Thus, the industrial need is to regulate the machine in the given specification for better productivity and high quality of the product. Twenty sets of experiments were conducted on the industrial grade resistance seam welding machine in order to investigate the versatility of the machine and possible effect on the mechanical and microstructural properties of the resistance seam welded joint. The experiments were conducted in two parts. In the first part only current was varied (i.e. single factor experiment) keeping other parameters such as electrode wheel speed and welding voltage unchanged. In the second set of experiments, both current and electrode wheel speed were changed keeping voltage constant. Mechanical properties such as tensile strength, yield strength, breaking load, elongation at breaking were studied as the function of current and wheel rotational speed. The yield strength firstly increases up to 84 A and then decreases with increase in the welding current keeping other parameters fixed. The elongation at break also decreases with increasing current value. Microstructural properties were also analysed for the proper understanding of the process and potential effect on the various mechanical properties.