What is Seam Welding?
Seam welding is the process of joining two similar or different materials together, at the seam, by electronic current and pressure. The gap creates an electrical resistance between the materials, which causes them to heat up at the seam. This process is most common with metals, because they conduct electricity easily, and can sustain high pressures. Seam Welding has a great reputation for building a clear weld every time, with no filler needed. A technical definition would be: as the current passes between the metals, heat is generated at the gap. The electrodes maintain and control the flow of electricity.
It is crucial to understand how the process works, because the amount of heat generated at the seams depends on the magnitude of the current flowing through it. Too much electricity can cause deterioration. Another key factor is taking into account the type and hardness of the materials. Harder materials will need more welding force, than softer materials.
The four common types of electric resistance welding:
- Resistance Spot Welding
- Projection Welding
- Butt Welding
- Seam Welding
Seam welding is the most common welding process, used to join metal sheets with a continuous, seamless weld.
Advantages to Seam Welds
- Airtight Welds
- Fast weld process
- No filler required
- Can be automated
- Great reputation for providing a clear weld
- One of the only welding processes that does not emit fumes or cause any gas formation, as with other processes.
It is possible to combine seam welding and spot welding to create gas-tight and liquid-tight joints.
Why do we use seam welding?
At Toledo Metal Spinning, we utilize seam welding for our cylinder forming process. This ensures a strong weld every time. For weld integrity, we weld a tab onto the cylinder for a complete weld from start to finish. After the tabs are cut off, a continual, dependable weld is left, even at the edges. Our automated welding systems and skilled welders provide a consistent and even weld, which is highly rated in our industry. Because of our technology, a consistent and repeatable weld is provided for every part, every single time.
After achieving the seam weld, we planish the weld to ensure that it is smooth all the way down the cylinder. The planishing process means that the molecules are realigned in the weld, which makes the weld much stronger and more reliable. It is possible to combine seam welding and spot welding to create gas-tight and liquid-tight joints, which is necessary for certain cylindrical components. All of our custom cylinders are made with a dependable seam weld to be utilized for any application.
