WELDING SYSTEM
A welding system includes a first electrode, a first metal substrate having a first melting point temperature, and a second metal substrate having a second melting point temperature and disposed adjacent and in contact with the first metal substrate to define a faying interface therebetween. The welding system also includes a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode and disposed in electrically-conductive relationship with the second metal substrate. Further, the welding system includes a flexible strip disposed between and in electrically-conductive relationship with each of the first electrode and the first metal substrate. The flexible strip is formed from an electrically-conductive material and has a melting point temperature that is greater than or equal to each of the first melting point temperature and the second melting point temperature.
1 . A welding system comprising:
a first electrode;
a first metal substrate having a first melting point temperature;
a second metal substrate having a second melting point temperature and disposed adjacent and in contact with said first metal substrate to define a faying interface therebetween;
a second electrode spaced apart from said first electrode and disposed in electrically-conductive relationship with said second metal substrate; and
a flexible strip disposed between and in electrically-conductive relationship with each of said first electrode and said first metal substrate, wherein said flexible strip is formed from an electrically-conductive material and has a melting point temperature that is greater than or equal to each of said first melting point temperature and said second melting point temperature.
2 . The welding system of claim 1 , wherein said flexible strip has a thickness of from about 0.1 mm to about 0.4 mm.
3 . The welding system of claim 1 , wherein said first metal substrate has a first thickness and said second metal substrate has a second thickness that is greater than or equal to said first thickness.
4 . The welding system of claim 3 , wherein said flexible strip has a thickness of about 0.2 mm.
5 . The welding system of claim 3 , wherein a ratio of said first thickness to said second thickness is greater than or equal to about 1:2.
6 . The welding system of claim 1 , wherein said flexible strip is linearly translatable along said first electrode.
7 . The welding system of claim 1 , further including an additional flexible strip.
8 . The welding system of claim 7 , wherein said additional flexible strip is disposed between and in contact with each of said second electrode and said second metal substrate.
9 . The welding system of claim 7 , wherein said additional flexible strip is disposed between and in contact with each of said first electrode and said flexible strip.
10 . The welding system of claim 1 , further including a weld disposed at said faying interface whereby said first metal substrate and said second metal substrate are joined.