This document specifies requirements for resistance spot welding in the fabrication of assemblies of aluminium sheet, extrusions (both work- and age-hardening alloys) and/or cast material comprising two or three thicknesses of metal, where the maximum single (sheet) thickness of components to be welded is within the range 0,6 mm to 6 mm.
This document is applicable to the welding of sheets or plates of dissimilar thickness where the thickness ratio is less than or equal to 3:1. It applies to the welding of three thicknesses where the total thickness is less than or equal to 9 mm.
Welding with the following types of machines is within the scope of this document:
— pedestal welding machines;
— gun welders;
— automatic welding equipment where the components are fed by robots or automatic feeding equipment;
— multi-welders;
— robotic welders.
Information on appropriate welding equipment is given in Annex A and on spot welding conditions in Annex B. The latter are for guidance only and can require modification depending on service conditions of the fabrication, type of welding equipment, characteristics of the secondary circuit, electrode material and geometry.
The welding of coated material, e.g. zinc-coated or anodized material, is outside the scope of this document.