Metal transfer instability in gas metal arc welding

Abstract

This work presents a simplified model of metal transfer in gas metal arc welding. The model incorporates key features of metal transfer including the change in droplet diameters as welding moves from the globular into the spray metal transfer region, and the increase in welding voltage that is observed to occur as the pendant droplet grows. The model predicts that an instability arises in the globular metal transfer region, which leads to deterministic chaos and complex limit cycles with many droplet sizes. The instability also causes deterministic chaos with a characteristic gap in droplet diameters at the transition to spray mode metal transfer. The model explains observed features of metal transfer in some detail, including the existence and location of preferred bands of droplet sizes. Whether the instability is present or not defines the boundary between chaotic globular metal transfer and the stable drop spray transfer mode. The identification of deterministic chaos in gas metal arc welding metal transfer opens the way for new approaches to welding control.     

保护气体成分对双丝旁路耦合电弧GMAW旁路熔滴过渡形式的影响

双丝旁路耦合电弧GMAW的旁路焊枪选择了正极性接法即焊丝接电源负极,旁路熔滴仅依靠重力向熔池过渡,旁路熔滴尺寸较大且过渡过程并不稳定.针对这一问题,采用已建立的双丝旁路耦合电弧焊接过程信号控制与高速摄像采集系统,采集了纯氩气保护时旁路熔滴过渡形式,并分析了旁路熔滴尺寸较大且过渡过程不稳定的原因.在此基础上,采用80% Ar+20% CO₂为保护气体进行了焊接试验.结果表明,焊接过程中,保护气体中的O元素在旁路熔滴表面形成了氧化膜,旁路电弧在旁路熔滴表面的氧化膜上稳定燃烧,从而使电磁收缩力重新作用在旁路熔滴上并促进旁路熔滴向熔池过渡,因此焊接过程中旁路熔滴尺寸明显减小,熔滴过渡过程更加稳定.     

Stability of droplets in gas metal arc welding

Abstract

A method is developed to compute the stability of droplets detaching from the consumable electrode in gas metal arc welding. An aluminium electrode is used as the model system. Theoretical predictions and supporting experiments are used to ascertain the rate of transfer of droplets for a range of current encompassing globular and spray transfer, and to examine the transition between these distinct modes of metal transfer. The method uses dimensional analysis to correlate the mass, rate of transfer, and force acting to detach droplets. The correlation is found to undergo a notable change in slope at the transition between globular and spray transfer. The accuracy of the correlation is assessed by comparing the theoretical and measured rate of transfer of droplets in gas metal arc welding using aluminium electrodes of variable diameter.     

A study on consumable aided tungsten indirect arc welding

A consumable aided tungsten indirect arc welding method has been studied. This method is different from the traditional TIG welding because it introduces an MIG welding torch into the traditional TIG welding system. An indirect arc is generated between the consumable electrode of the MIG welding torch and the tungsten electrode of the TIG welding torch, but not generated between the tungsten electrode of the welding torch and the base metal. Welding current flows from the consumable electrode to the tungsten electrode in the free-burning indirect arc. The consumable aided tungsten indirect arc welding not only rapidly melts the welding wire but also effectively restrains the excessive fusion of the base metal. The welding experiment and the theoretical analysis confirm that this method can obtain a high deposition rate and a low dilution ratio during the welding process.     

Pulsed arc welding with intermittent spray metal transfer by rectangular pulses

Special features of producing rectangular pulses from welding power sources with inverter transducers for the intermittent spray transfer of electrode metal are investigated. The methods for obtaining the required current pulse parameters ensuring the stability of consumable electrode pulsed arc welding in a mixture of the shielding gases 80% Ar + 20% CO₂ are discussed.     

Metal transfer characteristics of GMAW with strip electrode

Abstract

The metal transfer process of gas metal arc welding with strip electrode is observed by a high speed digital camera system. Because the rectangular strip electrode has a large width/thickness ratio, the pendant droplet is elliptical in shape, and multicurrent channels are generated. The Lorentz force induced between the multicurrent channels drives the droplet and welding arc to move along the strip electrode end, but the droplet always lags behind the welding arc. The movement results in uncertain droplet’s detaching location and transition trajectory. The projected transfer mode is promoted, and the streaming and rotating transfer modes are restrained. With the increase in welding power, the droplet motion is faster but more stable. The stability can be reflected from the fluctuation of the welding current and arc voltage waveforms.     

Analysis of arc voltage,current, and light signals in pulsed gas metal arc welding of aluminium

Abstract

The use of readily acquired weld arc data such as voltage, current, or light emissions to identify droplet transfer events or transfer mode, or for quality purposes such as seam tracking is of interest for thin section applications in arc welding of aluminium. In the present study, voltage, current, and light emission signals are acquired at high rates, and synchronised with high speed shadowgraphing. The usefulness of the various signals for identifying droplet detachment events and transfer modes during pulsed gas metal arc welding of aluminium is compared. It is found that individual droplet detachments are consistently identifiable during globular, spray, and streaming transfer, and during peak and background current detachment, using the voltage signal. Although the arc light signal also contains droplet detachment data, it is difficult to identify droplet detachments occurring during the background phase at low background current levels. Preliminary measurements show that these signals can also be used for seam location in thin section lap fillet welding.     

Assessing metal transfer stability and spatter severity in flux cored arc welding

Abstract

Five experimental basic type flux cored arc welding consumable wire electrodes were manufactured from the same base formulation. The composition of these electrodes was adjusted in an attempt to improve the operating performance. This involved additions of various ratios of alkali oxides, namely, lithium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium containing ingredients, in the flux formulations. The operating behaviours of these experimental electrodes and two reference products (i.e. one commercial basic T–5 and one commercial rutile T–1 electrode) were thoroughly investigated by recording welding arc signals using a high speed data acquisition system. By comparing these electrodes among themselves, the experimental electrodes were reported to exhibit extremely stable arcs, some showing electrical arc signals even smoother than those for the reference rutile grade electrode. Despite their improved metal transfer consistency, however, basic electrodes were characterised by somewhat higher spatter levels.     

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.     

Mapping transfer modes for stainless steel gas metal arc welding

Abstract

A methodology for the construction of transfer mode maps for stainless steel gas metal arc welding, with argon and argon–oxygen shielding gases, is presented. A back lighting laser and high speed video camera were used for visualisation and measurement of droplets and electrode extension. The reasons for the use of a groove, instead of the traditional bead on plate method, and of same volume beads are discussed and the results assessed. Unlike in other mapping procedures, mapping was conducted as a function of welding current and arc length. In addition, transfer rate v. welding current or wire feedrate curves were plotted. The results show the importance of the use of both maps and curves for identification and quantification of the shielding gas effects on the transfer mode. The results also suggest that an increase in oxygen content in the shielding gas reduces the values of transition current and transition wire feedrate (as expected), but also that it reduces the transfer rate and droplet size at the globular–spray transition.     

脉冲频率对三丝间接电弧焊稳定性的影响

三丝间接电弧焊是一种新的焊接方法,焊接过程中工件不连接电源,主丝连接焊接电源正极,两边丝分别连接两焊接电源的负极,电弧建立在主丝与两边丝之间.焊丝熔化后主丝与边丝导电距离的变化以及焊丝形成的多条熔滴过渡路径均对建立稳定的焊接过程提出了挑战.文中通过调控脉冲频率,分析了脉冲频率对电弧特性、熔滴过渡路径以及焊接电压和焊接电...     

Shunting of the arc current in plasma-arc consumable electrode welding (plasma-MIG welding)

ABSTRACT

Special features of the process of shunting plasma arc current with a consumable electrode are investigated. The effect of the diameter of the consumable electrode, its visible extension and plasma arc current on the shunting current is determined. The effect of shunting current on the electrode metal transfer and the rate of electrode melting is determined.     

窄坡口MAG焊摆动宽度对电弧行为特性的影响

以窄坡口焊枪摆动数学模型和焊丝熔化模型为基础,建立窄坡口MAG焊枪摆动系统的电弧长度数学模型。进行射流过渡和短路过渡条件下不同焊枪摆动宽度的焊接试验。通过高速摄像系统得到电弧和熔滴图像,分析焊枪摆动宽度对电弧和熔滴过渡的影响。利用建立的数学模型模拟电流、电压和弧长随时间变化的规律,对焊枪摆动宽度为3 mm时的短路过渡焊接试验中的电弧和熔滴现象进行理论解释。研究发现,在侧间距(焊丝到侧壁的距离)为0~0.5 mm时,电弧燃烧稳定,熔滴过渡平稳,焊缝质量良好。     

Effect of REM addition of wire on CO2 gas shielded arc phenomenon

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas shielded arc welding is the main arc welding method, but it generates a large amount of spatter during welding. The root cause of spatter lies in the fact that the droplet undergoes repeated irregular shaking. To solve this problem, spatter generation modes were clarified and the effects of polarity and rare earth metal (REM) addition of the wire on CO₂ gas shielded arc welding were investigated. As a result, when welding is performed with an electrode negative (DCEN) polarity using REM added wire, it was found that a conical arc plasma is formed, and the droplet which is transferred from the wire tip to the molten pool is fine and continuous, in what is termed ‘spray transfer’. Thus, spatter generation was reduced to 10% of amount of the conventional CO₂ gas shielded arc welding (from 0.058 to 0.005g/s).     

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.     

Coating composition,weld parameter and consumable conditioning effects on weld metal composition in shielded metal arc welding

Abstract

Pipeline construction has been moving towards the use of higher strength low carbon steels as these become available. In order to achieve the required high strength and toughness to match those of the parent pipe, girth weld metals have to rely mostly on their composition. The aim of the present study was to characterise the influence of the consumable chemistry and moisture content, and the welding parameters on the composition of weld metals produced by E8010 and E9010 shielded metal arc (SMA) cellulosic consumables. The alloying compounds in the consumable coating were isolated using a caustic soda solution, analysed with electron backscattered diffraction and identified as a variety of oxides. Making use of a mechanised SMA welding machine, the effect on weld metal alloying element contents of the welding conditions was evaluated. Smaller welding arc voltages and lower consumable coating moisture content produced weld metals with richer chemistry. The element transfer mechanisms from the consumable coating to the weld metal are also discussed.     

Voltage change in the GMAW process due to the influence of a droplet travelling in the arc

Abstract

Experimental measurements have been made to investigate the meaning of the fluctuation or noise of electrical signals for the gas metal arc welding process through globular to spray transfer mode, with particular attention being paid to the so-called 'drop spray' transition mode. The results reveal that the welding arc voltage is significantly affected by the molten droplet travelling in the arc. A sharp drop in arc voltage appears just after the detachment of the droplet, reaching its minimum quickly and then recovering, according to the location of the droplet in the arc. Although the full explanation of the feature requires further study, we believe that an important influence is the geometrical effect. The existence of the droplet in the arc path significantly affects the geometrical shape of the arc and arc attachment at the anode, and hence the overall voltage of the arc.     

Integral self-regulation in arc welding processes

As a result of the development of processes of gas-shielded consumable electrode arc welding with a constant electrode wire feed rate, characterized by different mechanisms of electrode metal transfer and large changes in the arc power with time, this study is carried out to supplement and generalize the concept of self-regulation of different arc welding processes.     

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.     

压力对水下焊条局部干法焊接电弧稳定性的影响

在压力舱中进行不同压力下的水下焊条局部干法焊接试验,采用统计分析和快速傅立叶变换研究了压力对水下电弧稳定性的影响.结果表明,铁粉低氢钾型焊条焊接主要进行粗熔滴短路过渡,随着压力的增加,短路时间由常压焊接的5~7 ms增加到8~10 ms,表明熔滴的平均尺寸增大.压力环境下,焊条熔化速度增大,弧压反馈调节系统的工作点上移,电弧电压增大.傅里叶变换结果表明,常压电弧电压信号的主要特征频率低于10 Hz,压力下电压信号的频谱图中出现大量高于10 Hz的谱线,说明信号突变性更强,电弧稳定性降低.