Effect of Welding Parameters of Resistance Spot Welding on Mechanical Properties and Corrosion Resistance of 316L

The purpose of this research is to analyze the mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of spot welding of stainless steels AISI 316L using the process of resistance spot welding varying welding parameters with three level for each of welding parameter; welding current (A.), electrode Pressure (bar), squeeze time (s.), and welding time (s.). The welding current was (4500, 5500 and 6500) A, the electrode Pressure was (20, 30 and 40) bar, the squeeze time was (0.6, 0.8 and 1) Sec., and the welding time was (0.3, 0.6 and 0.9) Sec. The specimens were inspected by a tensile-shear test, corrosion test and the inspection of scanning electron microscope (SEM). The technique of design of the experiments (DOE) was utilized to examine the influence of the welding process parameters on the joint tensile-shear force. The results were analyzed by the DOE method to determine the optimum tensile-shear force, where can be obtained by utilizing the welding parameters by welding current 5500A, electrode pressure of 30 bar, squeeze time 0.8s., and welding time of 0.3s. The examination of SEM indicated that the increment of welding current and electrode pressure leads to increment pitting and corrosion rate.