Surface modified long-life electrode for resistance spot welding of Zn-coated steel

In order to increase the life of conventional copper electrodes in resistance spot welding of Zn-coated sheet steel, a multi-layer Ni/(TiCP/Ni)/Ni composite coating was deposited onto the copper electrode top surface by electro-spark deposition. Scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray diffraction and micro-hardness tests were employed to characterize the microstructure and property of the coating. The results showed that the copper electrodes with a dense Ni/(TiCP/Ni)/Ni coating slightly increased the resistance of the weld system and hence the welding current could be reduced to produce a weld with the same button size as that made by uncoated electrodes at a high welding current. The coating was gradually cracked during welding under the action of welding force, forming Ni/(TiCP/Ni)/Ni composite islands which were strongly adherent to and further, punched into copper substrate. The coating could significantly reduce the alloying between copper electrode substrate and molten Zn. As a result, coated electrode showed a much longer life than an uncoated electrode even though the welding current for coated electrode was lower than that for uncoated one.