Technical Data
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CD and SC Stud Welding ARC Stud Welding Resistance Stud Welding


Cutlass manufactures and sells stud welding products for a variety of stud welding applications. After reviewing the chart below, use the links above to take you to the stud welding process which appears to best fit your application requirements.


CD or ARC Process?



Cutlass manufactures two distinct stud welding methods: Capacitor Discharge (CD) or Drawn Arc (ARC). CD is generally used for smaller stud diameters up to 3/8" and is used primarily when welding to thin sheet metal. ARC is generally used for stud diameters of 1/4" and above and when welding to thicker base materials or in structural applications. There is obviously an overlap between the two systems, however application areas are normally well defined... the following additional criteria may need to be considered when choosing a stud welding system:


When CD should be considered...

When ARC should be considered...

  1. Alloy metal such as aluminum, bronze, brass and others
  2. Exotic materials such as titanium
  3. Stud cost
  4. High production rates
  5. Smaller diameter fasteners...up to 3/8"
  6. Reverse side marking
  7. Thin parent material
  8. Clean parent material
  9. Accuracy of stud position
  10. Weld splatter or weld fillet interference
  11. Deformation or heat distortion
  1. Dirty, scaly or oily parent material
  2. Structural applications
  3. High strength of fastener
  4. Fastener diameters larger than 3/16"
  5. Higher carbon steels


Resistance Weld Studs



Resistance Weld (RW) screws are not welded with standard stud welding equipment. They are normally attached using a resistance or spot welder. Materials used for stud manufacture are identical to those used for ARC studs. However, unlike ARC studs, heat treatable steel alloys can also be used, the most popular of which is a steel alloy with added Boron. Studs manufactured from this alloy can be heat treated after manufacture to grade 8.8, with ultimate tensile of 113,800 psi (785Nmm) minimum.

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Cutlass Fasteners, Inc.
83 Vermont Ave., Unit 6,
Warwick, RI 02888 USA
tel: (401) 732-6333
fax: (401) 732-6336
home Cutlass Fasteners, Ltd.
Penny Lane, Haydock,
Lancs. WA11 9SS UK
tel: 00 44 (0) 1942 712387
fax: 00 44 (0) 1942 722306
email USA
email UK