Method for joining a tube to a member using deformation resistance welding/brazing

A method for joining a tube to a member comprising the steps of:

• a) obtaining a tube;
• b) obtaining a member having a surface groove;
• c) after steps a) and b), relatively disposing the tube with respect to the member to completely cover the surface groove of the member without the tube entering the surface groove, wherein the tube is in at least one of a direct contact with the member and an indirect contact with the member through an intervening joining material;
• d) after step c), creating a resistance welding/brazing current path through the tube and the member creating a weld/braze zone which includes at least some of the tube and at least some of the member and which fills in at least some of the surface groove;
• and
• e) during step d), applying a force to relatively move the tube deformingly against the member,
• wherein the tube is chosen from the group consisting of a damper tube of a vehicle damper and a dust cover of a vehicle damper, and wherein the member is chosen from the group consisting of a damper mounting bracket of a vehicle damper and a monolithic damper base cup and mounting bracket of a vehicle damper.

A method for joining a tube to a member comprising the steps of:

• a) obtaining a tube having a surface groove;
• b) obtaining a member;
• c) after steps a) and b), relatively disposing the member with respect to the tube to completely cover the surface groove of the tube without the member entering the surface groove, wherein the member is in at least one of a direct contact with the tube and an indirect contact with the tube through an intervening joining material;
• d) after step c), creating a resistance welding/brazing current path through the tube and the member creating a weld/braze zone which includes at least some of the tube and at least some of the member and which fills in at least some of the surface groove;
• and
• e) during step d), applying a force to relatively move the tube deformingly against the member.