Hold time in the spot weld cycle is defined as:

Hold time in the spot weld cycle is defined as:

• A. Time during which current is flowing
• B. Time between application of pressure and start of current flow
• C. Time during pressure has ceased after current flow has ceased
• D. Time between release of pressure and start of next weld cycle

Answer: (C)

Hold time is the interval after the welding current has been turned off during which electrode pressure is still applied. This allows the molten nugget to solidify and form a strong bond under pressure before the electrodes separate. It’s different from weld time, which is the period when current is flowing, and from pre-load or pre-press time, which occurs before current is applied, or from the dwell after pressure release before the next cycle.

Hold time is the interval after the welding current has been turned off during which electrode pressure is still applied. This allows the molten nugget to solidify and form a strong bond under pressure before the electrodes separate. It’s different from weld time, which is the period when current is flowing, and from pre-load or pre-press time, which occurs before current is applied, or from the dwell after pressure release before the next cycle.