What materials are used for Seam Weld Wheels?

Created at : Sep 6, 2023

Resistance seam welding produces high quality weld seams using a welding wheel with the appropriate properties. Electric current and pressure are used to weld two similar or dissimilar materials together. The two electrodes are in the form of wheels usually made from a copper alloy. One of the two wheels is driven. As the workpieces pass through, the welding points are generated by current pulses. The welding points can even overlap as a continuous weld seam is created.

Seam welding is very similar to spot welding, the two opposing wheels are used, rather than two pointed electrodes. Force and current are applied through the wheel.  

These weld wheels have ideal properties in RWMA Class1, 2 and 3 materials. These are forged wheels which are required for a robust wheel and a repeatable reliable weld.

Class 1 (C15000) is Copper Zirconium is sometimes used for seam weld wheels where extensive heat is developed and works best with aluminum and terne plate.   

Class 2 (C18200) is Copper Chromium with lower hardness at 65 min. but good electrical conductivity with 75% min. and works best with hot-rolled steel.  

Class 2 Premium (most popular materials)  (C18150 & C18200) is Copper Chromium Zirconium and Copper Chromium with average hardness at 75 min. but good electrical conductivity with 75% min. and works best with coated materials like galvanized steel and premium grade for hot-rolled steel used with higher pressures.

Class 3 (C18000 & 17510) is Copper Nickel Silicon Chromium and Copper Nickel Beryllium higher hardness at 90 min. with low electrical conductivity at 45% min. and works best with stainless steel and high temperature steels.

In the past seam wheels were made out of C15760 with 0.06% aluminum, balance copper but the C15760 wheels higher material cost lost out to the welding advantages of a better material in RWMA Class 2 wheels.

Cadi Company is a certified manufacturer and distributor of seam weld wheel blanks and finished wheels from your print. Wheels that have quality copper alloys that are tested and inspected before your use. These wheels are in stock up to a 30” diameter. Cadi understands the metallurgical issues with seam weld wheel manufacturing. We have applied this knowledge to develop a proprietary process that consistently delivers quality seam welding wheels for demanding applications – your application.