Failure Analysis of Pinch Weld Electrodes

Paul Korinko, Anthony McWilliams, Matthew Van Swol, Kevin Faraone

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Savannah River Site uses brazed copper/tungsten electrodes for a specialized weld referred to as a pinch weld. An alternative method to produce the pinch weld electrodes was sought to improve quality and to reduce the manufacturing steps. Backcasting of pinch weld electrodes was selected as such a process. During preliminary testing, deformation of the electrodes was observed. A failure analysis assessment was conducted and the strength of the electrodes was found to be significantly less than required to enable welding of the tubes. This assessment includes compression testing metallographic analysis. The pinch weld electrodes fabricated by backcasting do not meet the requirements with respect to strength. In addition, a minimum strength requirement for conventionally prepared electrodes is recommended.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1045-1052
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Failure Analysis and Prevention
Volume18
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1 2018
Externally publishedYes

Funding

Acknowledgments The authors would like to acknowledge T. Curtis for his assistance with metallography, T. Worrell for the program management of the plant directed research and development program, Prepared for the US Department of Energy under contract number DE-AC09-08SR22470. The Department of Energy’s Kansas City National Security Campus is operated and managed by Honey-well Federal Manufacturing Technologies, LLC, under contract number DE-NA0002839.

Keywords

  • Electrode
  • Failure analysis
  • Resistance spot welding
  • Stainless steel

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