Product Introduction
Headed shear connector studs manufactured in compliance with AWS D1.1/D1.1M and ISO 13918 for drawn‑arc stud welding. The fasteners are welded through the profiled steel deck or directly to the beam flange, creating a positive shear connection that locks the cast‑in‑place concrete slab to the structural steel frame. This mechanical interlock resists longitudinal shear at the steel‑concrete interface and is essential for achieving composite beam design.

Material & Mechanical Properties
Fabricated from weldable low‑carbon steel with a controlled deoxidation practice that stabilises the electric arc. After welding, the fusion zone meets the tensile strength and ductility criteria prescribed by AWS D1.1. The completed connection delivers shear capacity exceeding the shank cross‑section, directing overload into a ductile failure mode away from the weld.

Dimensions & Identification

• Nominal diameters: 10 mm to 25 mm (metric) and equivalent imperial sizes

• Length before welding: 40 mm to 300 mm

• Head geometry: cheese head (cylindrical) per ISO 13918

• Traceability: the stud head is permanently embossed with the manufacturer’s identification mark

Ceramic Ferrules
A cordierite ceramic ferrule is supplied with each stud. During welding, the ferrule encloses the weld pool, shielding it from atmospheric gases and forming the fillet shape. Cordierite’s thermal shock resistance enables it to withstand the rapid temperature rise of the drawn‑arc process without melting or spalling. Ferrules are discarded after the weld solidifies.

Installation & Weld Integrity Verification
Studs are installed with a drawn‑arc stud welding gun, not a resistance spot welder. After the metal deck is placed, the gun lifts the stud, draws an arc that melts the stud tip and a portion of the beam flange, then plunges the stud into the molten metal — penetrating the deck without pre‑drilled holes when welding through‑deck.
Post‑weld verification includes visual inspection of the 360° flash and fillet dimensions, followed by a bend test per AWS D1.1: striking the side of the welded stud with an iron mallet bends it to a specified angle. A sound stud remains attached and deforms without fracture at the weld. A stud that breaks off at the beam interface under this bending‑shear force indicates a defective weld and must be replaced.

Application Suitability
Composite floor and roof decks in steel‑framed buildings, bridge decks, industrial mezzanines, and other steel‑concrete hybrid structures. The structural engineer specifies the shear connector diameter, height after weld, and spacing per beam to develop the required composite capacity. Installation is carried out by specialist stud‑welding subcontractors.

Technical Parameters