Life and failure of oriented carbon nanotubes composite electrode for resistance spot welding

In view of the poor weldability electrodes in resistance spot welding (RSW) galvanized steel sheets, life oriented multi-walled carbon nanotubes reinforced Cu matrix composites (Cu@MWCNTs/Cu) was studied, which coated (MWCNTs) are arranged along flow direction working electric/force. By analyzing macro/microscopic morphology, microstructure, hardness, texture and composition failed composite commercially CuCrZr electrode, mechanism enhancement failure discussed. The results show that Cu@MWCNTs/Cu (2150 welds) is 3 times longer than electrode (600 welds), degradation rate much slower. hardness 30–40Hv higher. content recrystallized recovery grains less. This due to pinning effect MWCNTs, straight long MWCNTs electrical/force direction. These improve mechanical properties, conductivity, thermal deformation, cracking, pitting electrodes, effectively slows down makes longer. work provides a new idea for application CNTs/Cu composites.