TiB2 rod, and method of fabrication and use

Abstract

A TiB₂ rod, and a method of fabrication therefore are is provided. It may be used to producing a TiB₂ coating on the tip surfaces of a resistance spot welding (RSW) electrode, such as may be of a type for welding applications in automotive, and electronic industries. There may be a rod of material for coating the tips of welding rods that includes TiB₂ ceramic having good electrical and thermal conductivities and a high melting temperature. The new TiB₂ rod may be used to produce a TiB₂ coating on an electrode tip surfaces by ESD, which may tend to be low in cost and which may tend to produce a higher electrode life as compared to an embodiment of TiC coating.

Description

AREA OF APPLICATION OF INVENTION

[0001] The TiB2 coating rod, such as may be used to provide by an electrospark deposition (ESD) coating layer on a welding electrode may be used in the field of Resistance Spot Welding (RSW) such as may be used, for example, in applications in industries such as the Automotive and Electronics industries. TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

[0002] With the progress in the automotive industry, regular sheet steels can not meet the corrosion-resistant requirement. Various coated sheet steels, such as Zinc coated steels for example, may be found in an increasing number of applications in automobiles. However, the resistance spot welding of zinc coated steels may necessitate a higher welding current or longer weld time as compared to uncoated bare steel, because of the lower melting point of Zn and hence the reduced contact resistance as compared to bare steels. This may tend to increase the operating temperature of the electrodes. Under the combined effects of heat and...