The growth of the spot welding nugget in AISI 304 stainless steel sheets was analyzed by numerical simulation with the finite element method, being used for this purpose the commercial code ANSYS. The mathematical model considers: coupling between the electric and thermal fields in transient regimen; temperature dependent thermal and electrical properties of AISI 304 steel; convection thermal boundary condition. The analyzed three-dimensional geometry, axisymmetric, allowed the simplification to a two-dimensional geometry. The results of the model were compared with experimental results presented in the literature. Sheets thickness of 1, 2 and 3 mm, and different diameters of electrodes faces were considered. The results allowed determining the necessary current application times for attainment the recommended diameter and penetration of the nugget in each situation. The results also showed that with the use of larger currents the nugget formation consumes less energy.
Spot Welding; Numerical Simulation; Stainless Steel
