Common ARC Stud Welding Fastener Types

Drawn ARC Stud Welding is a welding process that joins a metal stud to a metal workpiece by lifting the stud from the work surface, drawing an electric arc and creating a molten pool. The stud is then plunged into the molten pool, creating a seamless weld between the stud and parent material. 

Various types of weld studs are used in ARC stud welding. The following are some of the more common/standard weld studs used in commercial fabrication and industrial applications. 

Headed Concrete Anchors/Headed Shear Connectors

Headed Concrete Anchors and Shear Connectors are a type of ARC weld stud that anchors concrete to steel structures. They are used in all types of concrete connections and can be welded to a flat surface, through decking to a beam underneath, or the inside or outside of an angle. The head of the stud acts as an anchor when embedded in concrete, making it ideal for structures where high load-bearing capacity is needed. 

Deformed Bar Anchors

Deformed Bar Anchors (DBA) are made from ASTM A496 low-carbon steel and are designed for welding to the bent plate/angle at the perimeters of a steel building.  They act as an anchor to hold the perimeter steel in position.  DBA maximizes material strength in applications where substantial load-supporting (shear tension) forces are present.

Stud Weldable Rebar

Much like DBA, Stud Weldable Rebar (SWR) is a specific type of reinforcing bar designed to be easily welded to other metal structures via the stud welding process. SWR is made from ASTM A706 low-carbon steel and differs from A496 DBA due to its different mechanical properties.

SWR is used in precast concrete grade crossings, concrete connections where ductility is key, bearing plates, seismic management and bridge and building construction.

Full Thread ARC Studs

Full Thread ARC Studs are used to join a base workpiece to another part or component. The stud is threaded the entire length, allowing a nut to be used to secure the two pieces together without drilling a hole.

Partial Thread ARC Studs

Partial Thread ARC Studs share the same uses and mechanical properties as the Full Thread, except the thread does not accompany the entire length of the fastener. The weld end (unthreaded portion) is slightly smaller in diameter than the threaded portion, which allows the fillet weld to stay within the thread diameter so it will not interfere with a connecting part.

Collar Studs

Collar Studs act as a spacer providing a gap between a workpiece and whatever parts are secured on the threaded extension. They are mostly used as standoffs for wire routing and plate spacing. Collar Studs are essentially a partial thread stud with a flanged collar separating the weld base and the threaded portion.

PSR Studs

PSR Studs are large-headed punching shear resistors that are used to reinforce flat concrete slabs. They are welded to flat steel bars to create stud rails for the purpose of replacing stirrups or column capitals. This decreases the congestion in column/slab connections and distributes force over a greater critical area.

Refractory Anchors

Refractory anchors are specialized fasteners that are used to secure refractory materials, such as bricks, castables, and ceramics, to the structures of high-temperature equipment. Refractory anchors ensure that the lining within the equipment remains securely in place, allowing it to insulate and protect the underlying structure from extreme heat.