FOREWORD

These Recommended Practices pertain to the spot welding of aluminum and aluminum alloys hereafter referred to as aluminum or the material. The data contained herein have been compiled by the AWS Resistance Welding Committee, through its Subcommittee on Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys by canvassing those in industry who have had experience in spot welding aluminum. The welding schedules given in these Recommended Practices represent the recommendations of the Committee. The data included in these schedules have been proof-checked to ascertain that welds of the specified strength will be obtained with a good degree of consistency.

It is important to recognize that the welding schedules are not presented as the only possible conditions for welding the material and thicknesses shown; they are rather offered as a guide for setting up welding schedules to be followed in any particular fabrication, modified according to the specific fabricating conditions and production requirements involved.

Intelligent use of these Recommended Practices requires a careful study of the text as well as the welding schedules. An understanding of the text is even more important where deviations from these welding schedules are to be made.

The text has been kept as brief as possible and all extraneous comment has been omitted. For more detailed information on design, equipment and other matters not covered herein reference should be made to the publications shown in the bibliography.

The AWS Resistance Welding Committee has prepared these Recommended Practices to serve as an incentive for industry to develop methods and procedures improving upon the practices presented herein, which will permit the raising of quality and performance standards. If this is achieved the Committee will have been amply repaid for the time and effort it has devoted to this work.

Communications on these Recommended Practices will be most welcome. They should be addressed to the Secretary, AWS Resistance Welding Committee, AMERICAN WELDING SOCIETY, 33 W. 39th St., New York 18, N. Y.