What adjustments are needed on a spot welder when switching from galvanized steel to stainless steel of the same thickness?

When switching from galvanized steel to stainless steel in spot welding, one of the necessary adjustments is to clean and smooth the spot welding tips. This is because the galvanizing process results in the coating of zinc on the steel, which can leave residues and contaminants on the welding tips. If the tips are not adequately cleaned when switching to stainless steel, it could lead to poor conductivity and inconsistent welds.

Stainless steel has different thermal and electrical properties compared to galvanized steel, and the presence of any residual zinc could adversely affect the weld quality. Ensuring that the tips are clean and free from any buildup allows for proper thermal transfer and control, which is crucial for achieving strong and reliable welds on stainless steel.

While other adjustments like increasing voltage, pressure, or tip size might seem relevant due to different material properties, the immediate and critical adjustment required for effective spot welding when changing materials is ensuring that the welding tips are appropriately maintained.