Computer simulation of spot welding and thermal gradient analysis

Abstract

Abstract  This work aims to simulate the spot welding process using the finite element method, obtain dimensions of the welding point and analyze the heat affected zone (HAZ), observing the different regions of the HAZ and comparing with the literature. The material of the plates is low carbon steel with a thickness of 2 mm, the current used is 15 kA over a period of 20 cycles. The geometry and parameters for carrying out welding are specified by literature and standards. For the computational analysis, the ANSYS® Workbench 23.2 software, in the student version, was used, together with the Moving Heat Flux extension, in which the mathematical model was solved by the Transient Thermal tool and thermal losses due to conduction, convection and radiation were considered. At the end of the work, the simulation results converged with the results predicted in the literature.

Key-words:
Spot welding; Computer simulation; Thermal gradient