WELDING ELECTRODE FOR USE IN RESISTANCE SPOT WELDING WORKPIECE STACK-UPS THAT INCLUDE AN ALUMINUM WORKPIECE AND A STEEL WORKPIECE

摘要

A welding electrode suitable for resistance spot welding applications includes a first portion, a second portion, and a reduced diameter portion that extends between and connects the first and second portions. The first portion includes a weld face and the second portion includes a mounting base that opens to an internal recess having a cooling pocket. The reduced diameter portion extends between a back surface of the first portion and a front surface of the second portion such that a gap separates the back and front surfaces from each other. The gap may be vacant or filled with a low conductivity material. The disclosed welding electrode may be used in conjunction with another welding electrode to resistance spot weld a workpiece stack-up that includes an aluminum workpiece and an adjacent overlapping steel workpiece.