Some Fundamental Problems in Percussive Welding

Early work in percussive welding goes back to late in the nineteenth century. Both applications and accounts in literature are relatively rare. However, this type of welding should have considerable applicability in view of some rather outstanding advantages: 1. The fact that the arc potential is approximately 15 volts permits the addition of considerable energy within a very short time and, relative to resistance welding, small currents for shorter times are possible. This allows the welding electrodes to be placed well away from the weld zone without overheating of adjacent areas. Effects of deflection due to the high electrode clamping forces can be minimized. 2. The compatibility problem between the materials and geometries of the parts to be welded are eased relative to the slower butt welding method. 3. The welds produced in a controlled process are quite strong and can well approach the intrinsic strength of the parts to be welded. 4. The percussive welding process is very fast. Use in high speed automatic production is advantageous. The problem treated in this paper arose during a very short study program at Bell Telephone Laboratories, Inc. in connection with a new 885