A novel welding schedule for expanding the expulsion-free process window in resistance spot welding of dissimilar joints with ultra-high strength steel

This study introduces a novel approach to expanding the maximum expulsion-free process window in resistance spot welding (RSW) of dissimilar joints between ultra-high strength steel (UHSS) and mild steel. Quantitative analysis revealed that expulsion is driven by the interaction between nugget growth rate and plastic shell thickness. Based on this finding, the welding schedule was optimized by applying a preheating current to form an initial plastic shell, followed by a ramp-up current profile during the main welding phase. Welding simulations indicated that the ramp-up current slowed nugget growth, improved plastic shell formation, and prevented nugget breakthrough, thereby reducing the risk of expulsion. Experimental validation showed a 19 % increase in maximum expulsion-free heat input, with the nugget diameter increasing by 7.6 % to 8.94 mm compared to the reference welding schedule. Furthermore, even when expulsion occurred beyond the process window, this optimization delayed its occurrence, minimizing its impact on spot weld quality. Finally, the optimized welding schedule also exhibited significant robustness. Despite a 2 mm initial gap disturbance, the maximum expulsion-free heat input increased by 57 %, while the nugget diameter grew by 30 % to 8.92 mm. These results confirm that the proposed approach effectively extends the process window by preventing expulsion and enhances process stability.