Effects of au plating on small-scale resistance spot welding of thin-sheet nickel

The effects of Au plating on joint formation and joint strength in small-scale resistance spot welding (SSRSW) of Ni sheets have been investigated using tensile-shear testing, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The results show that the mechanisms of the joint formation during the welding of Au-plated Ni sheets involve solid-state bonding, brazing, and fusion welding. The comparison between SSRSW of Au-plated Ni and bare Ni sheets and large-scale resistance spot welding (LSRSW) of Zn-coated steels is also discussed.