Influence of shielding medium on deposition rate in arc welding

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to determine the influence of the shielding medium and the type of welding flux on the deposition rate in arc welding. Previous studies have stated that the shielding medium has no influence on deposition rate and a number of mathematical models derived by previous authors confirm this. In the present work it was found that a larger quantity of material was deposited when using helium, argon, or CO₂ as shielding. With constant wire feedrate and constant power, arc current was lowest with helium shielding and highest with argon shielding; with just wire feedrate constant, arc power was lowest with helium and CO₂ shielding and highest with basic flux. It was also found that arc welding efficiency was highest for helium shielding and lowest for submerged arc welding with basic flux.     

Effects of shielding gas composition on arc characteristics and droplet transfer in tandem narrow gap GMA welding

The effects of shielding gas composition in tandem narrow gap gas metal arc welding were studied. The shielding gas included argon, carbon dioxide and helium. The arc characteristics and droplet transfer process were analysed. The results show that in the same welding parameters, the trail wire welding current is higher than the lead wire welding current. With the increase of carbon dioxide content, the welding currents of two wires decrease, and the trail wire droplet transfer mode transforms from spray transfer to projected transfer. With the increase of helium content, the welding currents increase and the lead wire droplet transfer mode transforms from projected transfer to spray transfer. The weld width is the largest when the shielding gas mixture is 80%Ar10%CO₂10%He.     

Microstructural analysis of the anode in gas metal arc welding (GMAW)

The nature of the applied shielding gas has a strong influence on arc stability and transfer metal mode of the welding process. In particular, increase of the percentage of carbon dioxide in argon induces the increase of the transition current value from the globular to spray metal transfer mode. This work shows that these effects are linked to the chemical and microstructural modifications of the anode tip during the gas metal arc welding process. The microstructure of the anode is investigated for various experimental conditions. Transition between the two transfer modes is linked to the existence and disappearance of a rather insulating oxide “gangue” at the wire extremity whose nature depends of the shielding gas. Chemical reactions at high temperature such as oxidation–reduction reactions between shielding gas and melted metal govern the transition of the spray-arc to globular transfer mode.     

Visualization of gas metal arc welding on globular to spray transition current

The transfer modes in gas metal arc welding have important effects on welding quality. However, present study of metal transfer modes is not yet fully understood. In this study, welding arcs was visualised using the optical emission spectroscopy technique. The carbon steel wire electrode was used for welding with 80% Ar?+?20% CO₂ shielding gas. The results showed that the globular to spray transition current was 330–350?A. During globular to spray transition, argon,CO₂ and Fe plasma tended to gradually change from localising near the arc axis to a two-layer structure having 11,000?K in high-temperature region away from the arc axis and around 7000?K in low-temperature region near the arc axis.     

Welding current prediction in GMAW and UGMAW processes using response surface methodology

Abstract

Among all process variables in gas metal arc welding (GMAW) process, welding current is the most influential variable affecting heat input and weld quality. Its dependence on other process variables in GMAW and universal gas metal arc welding (UGMAW) processes (which makes use of a specially designed torch to preheat the filler wire independently, before its emergence from the torch) has been investigated using four factor five level central composite rotatable design to develop relationship for predicting welding current, which enables to quantify the direct and interactive effects of four numeric factors, namely wire feedrate, open circuit voltage, welding speed and electrode stickout and one categorical factor preheat current. Mathematical models developed show that welding current increased linearly with increaseing wire feedrate and open circuit voltage, whereas it decreased with increasing electrode stickout and preheat current. Numerical optimisation was carried out, and the optimal solutions generated indicate that under the same input conditions higher deposition rates are achievable in UGMAW process.     

Application of grey relational analysis to determine welding parameters for Nd:YAG laser GMA hybrid welding of aluminium alloy

Abstract

Grey relational analysis is carried out to develop a new approach for optimization of Nd:YAG laser and gas metal arc hybrid welding parameters. The qualities of a welded material depend on various welding parameters. The parameters chosen for the current study include wire type, shielding gas, laser power, laser focus, travelling speed and wire feedrate. The welding experiments are performed on 6K21-T4 Al alloy sheet which are mostly used in automotive industries. The ultimate tensile stress, the bead width, and the penetration are chosen as the criterion for optimising the welding parameters. The method based on an orthogonal array following Taguchi's recommendation is adopted in the present study. Based on the results of grey relational analysis, a set of optimal welding parameters are obtained. The results show that the optimal welding parameters determined by the grey relational analysis are much improved compared to those from the preliminary set of experimental parameters.     

Wire melting phenomena in gas metal arc welding

Abstract

The wire melting rate in gas metal arc welding using constant voltage power supplies is well described by a parabolic model that considers the effects of electrical resistance and arc heating. However, tests performed with constant current power supplies indicate that the melting rate can deviate from this model when welding current is close to the globular–spray transition value. Although the causes of this anomaly have not yet been well established, most authors consider them to be related to variations in liquid metal temperature close to the metal transfer mode transition current. The present work evaluates the effect of welding parameters on the wire melting rate when a constant current power supply is used. A numerical model that considers the contribution of both Joule and arc heating was developed to calculate the temperature distribution in the wire and its melting rate. The model was used to assess the changes in either arc heating or metal vaporisation that might explain the melting irregularities. High speed cinematography was used to analyse metal transfer in the current range associated with the melting irregularities.     

Weld shape variation and electrode protection under Ar–(Ar–O2) double shielded GTA welding

Abstract

Double shielded gas tungsten arc welding (GTA welding or TIG welding) of an SUS304 stainless steel with pure inert argon as the inner layer shielding and the Ar–O₂ active gas as the outer layer shielding is proposed in this study in order to investigate its effect on the tungsten electrode protection and the weld shape variation. The experimental results show that the inner inert argon gas can successfully prevent the outer layer active gas from contacting and oxidising the tungsten electrode during the welding process. The active gas, oxygen, in the outer layer shielding is decomposed in the arc and dissolves in the liquid pool, which effectively adjusts the active element, oxygen, content in the weld metal. When the weld metal oxygen content is over 70 ppm, the surface tension induced Marangoni convection changes from outward into inward, and the weld shape varies from a wide shallow one to a narrow deep one. The effect of the inner layer gas flowrate on the weld bead morphology and the weld shape is investigated systematically. The results showed that when the flowrate of the inner argon shielding gas is too low, the weld bead is easily oxidised and the weld shape is wide and shallow. A heavy continuous oxide layer on the liquid pool is a barrier to the liquid pool movement.     

The influence of gas shielding composition and contact tip to work distance in short circuit metal transfer of ferritic stainless steel

The shielding gas used in the MIG/MAG process affects not only the weld properties but also determines the form of the weld bead. Depending on the type of metal transfer, the shielding gas interacts to a greater or lesser extent on the electrode wire and weld bead, and may alter the mechanical properties of the weld bead. Another parameter that has a significant influence is the contact tip work piece distance. The objective of this work is to study the influence of the CTWD using various shielding gas mixtures (pure argon, and argon mixed with oxygen and carbon dioxide) on the average short circuit transfer period, the average welding current and the quality of a weld bead I ferritic stainless steel. The results show that the CTWD has a significant effect on the welding current, regardless of the type of shielding gas. The shielding gas significantly changes the amount of slag formed and the amount of splatter, changing the appearance of the weld bead with the increase of oxygen or carbon dioxide in argon.     

Analysis of dynamic plasma behaviours in gas metal arc welding by imaging spectroscopy

For gas metal arc welding, the effect of CO₂ mixture in a shielding gas on a metal transfer process was investigated through the observation of the plasma characteristics and dynamic behaviour at the droplet’s growth-separation-transfer by the temperature measurement methods which were suitable, respectively, to the argon plasma region and the metal plasma region. At the present experimental conditions, the metal transfer process was a spray transfer type with 100%Ar shielding gas. On the other hand, with 85%Ar + 15%CO₂ shielding gas, the metal transfer process was a globular transfer type in which the arc length was shorter, the width was narrower and the time interval of the droplet separation was longer. For both shielding gases, the metal plasma region near the arc central axis exhibited 6500–7500 K, which was lower than the argon plasma region. With 85%Ar + 15%CO₂ shielding gas, when the metal droplet grew below the electrode wire, the region below the droplet has a high plasma temperature and a high concentration of iron vapour which surrounded the droplet. The region also exhibited a remarkably high electron number density. At the spray transfer process, the argon plasma region had an electron number density twice as high as the metal plasma region. Meanwhile, at the globular transfer process, the metal plasma region had a higher electron number density than the argon plasma region, which corresponded to a higher electrical conductivity near the arc axis. This means that the electric current goes through the arc axis easier than the spray transfer process. This condition increases the temperature below the droplet. The thermal expansion increases the force preventing the droplet from falling down. In consequence, the metal transfer takes the globular transfer type.     

Arc pressure and weld metal fluid flow while using alternating shielding gases. Part 1: arc pressure measurement

Abstract

As part of an ongoing process to fully evaluate the effects of an alternating shielding gas supply on gas shielded welding processes, a comparison between the arc pressures generated using argon, helium, alternating shielding gases and pulsed gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) has been conducted. Arc pressure variation and peaking are two of the fundamental phenomena produced during the alternating shielding gas process and are said to help create a stirring action within the liquid weld metal. However, there are no published data on arc pressure measurements during an alternating shielding gas supply, and consequently, these phenomena are based solely on theoretical assumptions. The experimental measurements made have shown that alternating shielding gases produce considerably higher arc pressures than argon, helium and pulsed GTAW due to a surge at weld initiation. The transient arc pressure measurements made when using alternating shielding gases are also considerably different from the theoretical assumptions previously reported.     

不同气体及熔滴过渡方式对气体保护焊熔敷金属的影响

对CO_2焊、富氩焊的短路过渡与非短路过渡熔敷金属进行试验,研究表明,富氩焊飞溅小,焊工操作体验好,熔敷金属综合性能优异,焊缝含氧量较低。去应力热处理后强度降低,冲击吸收能量有所提高。同等条件下短路过渡冲击吸收能量高于非短路过渡,但强度及化学成分与熔滴过渡形式关系不大。熔敷金属的硫、磷含量与焊丝有关,与保护气体无关。     

Repair welding of cracked turbine shroud using matching composition consumables

Abstract

Repair welding of a crack in the III-stage shroud of a high pressure turbine, was carried out using matching composition ER 410 filler wire by the gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) process with ultra high purity argon as shielding and backing gas. The development of the repair welding procedure involved laboratory studies for the selection of a suitable ER410 filler wire, optimisation of welding parameters and PWHT. Mock up welding under simulated on-site constraints confirmed the feasibility to produce in situ sound weld joint. In situ repair welding and localised PWHT was carried out successfully. NDT and in situ metallography of the repair-welded region confirmed adequate tempering of the martensitic weldment during the localised PWHT.     

药芯焊丝混合气体保护焊的熔敷特性研究

以Ar+CO2作为保护气体,研究了药芯焊丝混合气体保护焊的混合气体配比、焊接电流、电弧电压和气体流量对熔敷速度、熔敷系数和熔敷效率的影响。试验结果表明,Ar+CO2混合气体保护焊比CO2焊的熔敷效率高,Ar气比例达到60%以上,熔敷效率显著增加。焊接工艺参数选择合适时,可以获得较高的熔敷速度、熔敷系数和熔敷效率。     

A novel molten wire tungsten inert gas welding process

ABSTRACT

A novel molten wire tungsten inert gas welding process was presented. In this process, a welding arc is used to melt the workpiece, and a melting arc is used to melt the feeding wire. Metal transfer is separated from the melting of the wire and the workpiece, and the arcs are stable no matter the droplet transfer mode is spraying or globular. The spatter rate in the process is close to zero. Mechanical properties of low carbon steel joint bonded with this process are superior to those bonded with the metal inert gas welding process.     

双丝间接电弧氩弧焊的熔滴过渡

采用氙灯背光高速摄像系统及示波器对双丝间接电弧氩气保护焊的熔滴过渡及其对应的电压、电流波形进行了研究.结果表明,双丝间接电弧氩弧焊焊接电流与电弧电压的不同匹配选择,熔滴具有短路过渡、大滴过渡、混合过渡、射滴过渡、射流过渡等不同过渡形式.随着焊接电流的增大熔滴尺寸减小,熔滴细化,随电弧电压的增大,熔滴尺寸减小.熔滴过渡形式与电压、电流的波形之间有很好的对应关系.     

An investigation of dynamical metal transfer in GMAW—Effects of argon shielding gas

The unbalance radial electromagnetic force was firstly obtained by measuring the real-time input electrical impedance of GMAW. This force acts as an attaching force because it pushes the droplet aside of the welding wire and sticks on the tip of welding wire as result of surface tension force. In spray transfer mode, lower unbalance radial electromagnetic force was observed when argon shielding gas was used. The finding presented in this paper is contrary to the literature which reported that higher electromagnetic force is desirable for faster transfer rate of droplets in spray transfer mode.     

无镀铜焊丝熔滴过渡形态与工艺质量的关系

综述了镀铜和无镀铜焊丝熔滴过渡形态与工艺质量的关系。两种焊丝GMAW焊接时,熔滴有大滴过渡、喷射过渡和短路过渡3种形态。在富氩混合气时都存在滴状向喷射过渡的转变电流。无镀铜焊丝在不同保护气体时的电弧改善、熔滴细化、转变电流均低于镀铜焊丝。焊接电流和电弧电压的正确匹配是获得满意过渡形态的重要条件。焊丝的工艺质量除了受焊丝和涂层成分及母材焊接性控制之外,主要受焊接工艺条件控制。通过工艺参数匹配的变化建立了熔滴过渡形态与焊丝工艺质量间的关系,其内在联系主要是熔滴尺寸和转变电流的变化。     

Effect of process parameters of micro-plasma arc welding on morphology and quality in stainless steel edge joint welds

Abstract

The effects of the process parameters of micro-plasma arc welding (micro-PAW) on the morphology and quality of stainless steel edge joint welds were investigated. Micro-PAW was applied on type 304 stainless steels to produce an edge joint weld. Welding experiments were carried out for various combinations of arc current, welding speed, arc length, shielding gas, and clamp distance, with all other operating conditions held constant. The experimental results indicated that the collimated shape of the low current plasma arc was mainly responsible for the low sensitivity of the weld morphology to variations in the nozzle standoff distances. The arc voltage increased with increasing quantity of added hydrogen in the argon shielding gas. It was also found that satisfactory edge joint welds can be formed using a clamp distance of 0.35 mm, and that the edge joint penetration on a 0.1 mm thickness stainless steel is about 60% of the clamp distance.     

Study on new GMA welding process with duplex current feeding

Gas metal arc welding (GMAW) under pure argon shielding gas atmosphere (pure argon-GMAW) is suitable to obtain a high-strength and high toughness welded joint. However, it is difficult that pure argon-GMA welding is applied practically welding structure because of arc instability. In order to perform stable pure argon-GMA welding, duplex current feeding GMAW (DCF-GMAW) has been developed. The DCF-GMAW consists of primary GMA welding current and secondary welding current by constant-current power resource. DFC-GMAW can feed larger current near wire tip. This effect makes that weld penetration depth is deeper, weld bead shape is improved using DCF-GMAW.