The numerical simulation of the resistance spot welding process requires a precise understanding of the thermal conditions at the electrode/sheet interface. This necessitates a knowledge of the thermal contact resistance RTC which prevails at the interface, and the partition coefficient of generated heat flux at the interface α. This coefficient draws its significance from the non-conservative character of the generated heat flux in the disturbed zone of the contact. Consequently, on the macroscopic scale, only a fraction α (α< 1) of the heat flux generated at the interface contributes to the temperature change at the electrode/sheet interface. The present work reports an experimental study relating to the simultaneous estimation of RTC and α at the electrode/sheet interface during the resistance spot welding process. Both parameters, RTC and α, depend on the electrode/sheet interface structure. Consequently, RTC and α are time dependent during the welding process. The results of measurement of temperature as well as the estimations of RTC(t) and α (t) show that the developed experimental methodology is reproducible and reliable. The analysis of the results of the estimations allowed the interpretation of the evolution of RTC and α during the weld cycle as functions of current intensity and electrode force. Although the estimations are based on a one-dimensional heat transfer assumption, the results are in agreement with the physical phenomena that prevail at the electrode/sheet interface.
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