TREATMENT OF SPOT WELDED JOINTS FOR FATIGUE LIFE IMPROVEMENT

摘要

A method for cold working spot welded structures to improve fatigue life, and structures made by the method. Partially finished structures are provided assembled and joined by a spot weld nugget (50). Opposing indenters (46,48), or an indenter and a backing anvil, are used to squeeze the spot weld nugget to form one or two cold working dimples, respectively. Residual compressive stress is imparted in the workpiece,resulting in increased fatigue life.