Capacitor Discharge Stud Welding Process
Capacitor Discharge (CD) Stud Welding involves the same basic
principles and metallurgical aspects as any other arc welding
procedure. When the weld gun is activated a special precision weld tip
initiates a controlled electric arc from the welder capacitor bank
which melts the end of the stud and a portion of the base metal. The
stud is held in place as the molten metal solidifies instantly
accomplishing a high quality fusion weld.
CD Stud Welding is generally used to weld smaller diameter studs to
thin base metals, especially where reverse side marking is not
permissible. Since the entire weld cycle is completed in milliseconds,
welds can be made to thin material without pronounced distortion,
burn-through or reverse side discoloration. As long as one end to the
stud is designed for CD welding, CD studs can be manufactured in
almost any shape.
CD Stud Welding is compatible with just about any weldable
material, and permits the welding of dissimilar metals.
CD Stud welding is the process of choice when:
- Alloys such as aluminum, brass, and bronze are required.
- Exotic metals such as titanium are required.
- The job requires high production rates.
- Studs smaller than 3/8" in diameter are used.
- Reverse side marking is not allowed.
- Welding thin materials.
- Parent metal needs to remain clean after weld.
- High positioning accuracy is required.
- Weld spatter or fillets interfere.
- Deformation or heat distortion is not allowed.
CD Stud/Base Metal
Combination Welding Capabilities Chart
CD Stud Load/Torque Strength Charts
CD Stud Load/Torque
Strength Charts (Metric Studs)
CD Stud Weld Inspection
(Visual)
CD Stud Types*: (Not all available styles shown, see list below for
other styles of CD studs not pictured.)