Steps toward a new classification of metal transfer in gas metal arc welding

This paper is reviewing the metal transfer according to the progress made in the welding sources and techniques development. It critically analysis the actual classification of the metal transfer in GMA welding, describing the relevant phenomenon and proposing improvements, to make the understanding and the work easier in the field of arc welding. Basic concepts are overviewed and defined or re-defined: fundamental transfer modes, natural vs. controlled transfer mode, variants vs. variances, mixed vs. combined modes, drop spray transfer. The new classification is simpler, without loosing the logic of numbering, both from fundamental point of view (the physics of the transfer) and the technological one (the increasing of the values of the welding parameters). It is extremely important for all the specialists involved in study, design or industrial applications of the arc welding technologies to have know–how about the metal transfer and its implications on the process and weld parameters.     

熔化极脉冲氩弧焊熔滴滴落过程的分析

采用数字图像处理技术,对熔化极脉冲氩弧焊熔滴滴落过程的高速摄像图片进行了处理,提取了熔滴的边缘轮廓并获得了熔滴质心的变化坐标,得到了熔滴滴落过程中速度变化曲线. 结果表明,熔滴在弧柱区的滴落过程为匀加速,而在近阴极区和近阳极区却是减速的,且近阴极区减速幅度较大;并对熔滴在弧柱区的受力过程进行了定量分析,其主要受到等离子体流拉力和重力的作用,以及对近阴极区进行了相关的定性分析,其速度的减小主要是因为金属熔池蒸气反力的阻碍作用和等离子体流拉力的减小,理论分析与试验结果较为吻合.     

Study on metal transfer behaviour in metal inert gas arc welding with activating flux for magnesium alloy

Abstract

The investigation on the influences of the KCl, TiO₂ and CaCl₂ fluxes on the metal transfer and the spatter loss in metal inert gas (MIG) welding of magnesium alloy is carried out. The results indicate that KCl flux favours the stability of metal transfer and reduces the spatter loss, whereas the extension of the period of metal transfer and the aggravation of the spatter loss are produced by CaCl₂ flux, compared with MIG welding. For TiO₂ flux, the metal transfer behaviour and the spatter loss are similar to those of MIG welding. The reason for promoting the metal transfer on KCl flux is that the increased electromagnetic force resulted from the enhancement of the welding current. In addition, for MIG welding with the KCl or CaCl₂ flux, the arc conductivity is affected together by the metallic atoms and the chlorine atoms contained in the two fluxes.     

Novel classification method of metal transfer modes in gas metal arc welding by real time input electrical impedance

This paper presents an online, accurate and easy to use method for metal transfer mode classification using the input electrical impedance of arc welding as the signature. The records of the input electrical impedance are obtained by processing the welding voltage and current signals picked up at the output terminal of a welding machine. Similar to a typical linear electrical circuit consisting of a resistor, an inductor and a capacitor connected in series, the real and imaginary part of the input electrical impedance represents the combination of these electrical elements in the arc welding. Their variations directly reflect the switching among the metal transfer modes. A few experiments were conducted to confirm the above working principle and correlations between the input electrical impedance of arc welding and metal transfer. The results were then used to develop a method for online classification of metal transfer modes.     

Computer-based sensing and visualizing of metal transfer mode in gas metal arc welding

Using Xenon lamp lights to overcome the strong interference from the welding arc, a computer-based system is developed to sense and visualize the metal transfer in GMAW. This system combines through-the-arc sensing of the welding current and arc voltage with high speed imaging of the metal transfer. It can simultaneously display the metal transfer processes and waveforms of electrical welding parameters in real-time The metal transfer videos and waveforms of electrical welding parameters can be recorded. Metal transfers under various welding conditions have been investigated with the system developed.     

双丝间接电弧氩气保护焊的熔滴过渡与电弧形态

用高速摄像系统及示波器对双丝间接电弧氩弧焊的熔滴过渡及电弧形态和电弧电压之间的关系进行了深入分析.结果表明,熔滴过渡和电弧电压、电弧形态的规律性变化存在密切的对应关系.熔滴形成、长大、脱离焊丝端部的规律性变化使极性斑点间距及弧柱电阻发生变化导致了电弧电压的波动,从而使电弧形态发生由暗到明、由小到大的规律性变化.随着焊接电流的增大熔滴的过渡形式发生变化,熔滴尺寸减小.不同的熔滴过渡形式其电弧电压的波动也有所不同,射流过渡电压波动较小,而短路过渡电弧电压的波动最大.     

Metal transfer and arc behaviour of novel consumable and non-consumable electrode indirect arc droplet welding

Abstract

The consumable and non-consumable electrode indirect arc droplet welding is a novel method that applies an indirect arc generated between a consumable electrode and a non-consumable electrode to welding. It was successfully used to overlap join the thin zinc coated steel plate. In the point to point (consumable electrode and non-consumable electrode) configuration, the stable metal transfer was obtained. The globular, projected spray and streaming spray transfer modes were promoted. With the increase in welding power, the metal transfer became faster and more stable. At the same time, the indirect arc became brighter, smaller and more stable. The arc self-regulation guaranteed the stable burning of the indirect arc. The desire stability was observed from the fluctuation of the welding current and the arc voltage waveforms. The side concentrated melting on the root of the droplet produced high pinch effect, which facilitated the detachment of the droplet.     

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.     

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。     

Pulse profile and metal transfer in pulsed gas metal arc welding: droplet formation,detachment and velocity

The influence of current profile and pulse parameters on droplet formation and transfer was investigated. One profile has an exponential ramp up and down in the current pulse shape, while the second is nearly square shaped. High-speed photography, synchronised with a high-speed data acquisition system, was used to monitor the droplet formation and transfer. It was found that for long-tail current profile, most of droplet formation and detachment occurs before background current is reached. While, for the nearly square pulse, most of droplet formation and transfer occurs during background current, giving a stable and smooth metal transfer. The arc attachment position was found to vary for the different profiles. Droplet speed was measured, and it was found that it is proportional to the peak current and inversely proportional to background current. Dimensionless process parameters were defined and used to predict droplet speed using a neural networks algorithm.     

A scientific application oriented classification for metal transfer modes in GMA welding

In this work, metal transfer in solid wire GMA welding was studied. Several experiments with different combinations of gas-wire-parameters were carried out to observe metal transfer and to characterize the various transfer modes. A laser shadograph system with synchronized electrical signals and high speed filming were used. New modes were observed and their particular characteristics described for completeness. A classification for metal transfer, oriented to scientific personnel (researchers, scholars and students), is proposed, in which the modes are independent of the type of shielding gas or welding power source.     

Investigation into arc constriction by active fluxes for tungsten inert gas welding

Abstract

Mechanisms by which active fluxes increase the penetration of conventional tungsten inert gas (TIG) welds (so called A-TIG welds) are reviewed. The most dominant mechanism for increased penetration is considered to be arc constriction rather than a change in the surface tension of the molten pool. An experimental programme of work was carried out using A-TIG flux in combination with a number of welding processes. The plasma process was investigated as it gives greater penetration than conventional TIG welding by increasing current density. The CO₂ laser and electron beam processes which do not rely on a current carrying arc as the heat source for welding were also investigated. Macrosections taken from the welds made by these processes showed that the A-TIG flux was only effective when the weld pool was produced by an arc or plasma. Where there was no arc or plasma present, the flux had little effect.     

Effects of welding velocity on the impact behavior of droplets in gas metal arc welding

The influence of welding velocity on the impact behavior of the globular metal transfer was studied by high speed video photography with a laser source during gas metal arc welding of E36 steel. The welding current and voltage were 180 A and 30 V during the welding process. The results indicated that the impact location of a droplet depended strongly on the welding velocity. There was a critical welding velocity (0.4 m/min) that when the welding velocity was lower than this value the droplet impacted inside the weld pool, while the welding velocity was higher than this value the droplet impacted outside the weld pool. The results showed that when a droplet impacted outside the weld pool it would rebound or adhere on the workpiece, which was depended on the kinetic energy of the droplet. The rebound percentage of droplets increased with increasing kinetic energy. With increasing welding velocity, the mass of droplets was not changed obviously, but the flight velocity of the droplet increased, i.e. the kinetic energy of droplets increased with increasing welding velocity. The results also showed that when a droplet impacted outside the weld pool, the droplet which rebounded away from the workpiece surface formed weld spatters, resulting in discontinuous weld appearance, while the droplet which adhered on the workpiece surface streamed to the weld pool and good weld joint would still be obtained. Molten metal decreases with increasing welding velocity. When the welding velocity increases from 0.4 m/min to 2.0 m/min, the weld width decreases from 12.9 mm to 6.3 mm and the weld penetration decreases from 5.4 mm to 2.1 mm.     

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。     

Measurement and calculation of arc power and heat transfer efficiency in pulsed gas metal arc welding

Abstract

This study investigates the heat transfer efficiency of the pulsed gas metal arc welding (GMAW-P) process. The arc power and heat input were calculated from arc current and voltage measurements and the heat input was also measured with a liquid nitrogen calorimeter. The measured heat transfer efficiency for GMAW-P varied slightly over a wide range of pulse parameters, with an average value of 70%, a maximum of 72% and a minimum of 68%. Welding heat transfer efficiency based on arc power calculated as the product of average current and voltage was too high (averaging 82%), while that calculated using the product of the root mean square (RMS) of the average current and voltage was too low (averaging 61%). Both also varied significantly with pulsing parameters. Mathematical analysis shows that average instantaneous power values must be used when current and voltage vary significantly with time. The experimental differences between the average instantaneous power and the other calculated values are explained by the relative phases of the pulsed current, voltage and arc resistance waveforms.     

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.     

脉冲熔化极气体保护焊熔滴过渡电信号特征及建模

脉冲熔化极气体保护焊(GMAW-P)熔滴过渡形式对焊接质量有着重要的影响,同时脉冲参数是影响GMAW-P熔滴过渡行为的主要参数.利用高速数字摄像技术,记录熔滴过渡过程,同时采集焊接过程的电流、电压信号,并将各个信息传输到PC机中,实现数据的保存.综合分析熔滴过渡图片与对应的电信号的关系,提取了GMAW-P熔滴过渡过程特征电信号.通过统计分析建立了GMAW-P熔滴过渡逻辑回归模型.结果表明,此模型预测熔滴过渡的正确率达93%,为实现一脉一滴最佳脉冲熔滴过渡形式闭环控制开辟了新的途径.

Abstract：

Metal droplet transfer mode which is influenced by the pulse parameters such as pulse current ( I_p ) , pulse time ( t_p ) , base current ( I_b ) and pulse frequency (f) has play an important role in the weld quality. An experimental system based on the Lab VIEW virtual instrument and high speed photography technology was developed to sample the transient electrical parameters and record the images of droplet transfer process simultaneously. A transition voltage U_(dd) in the pulse voltage drop edge of electrical waveform was discovered according to analysis of synchronous electric and image signals. The relationship between the metal transfer mode and the slope of the transition voltage was proposed. The result of experiments shows that the model can be used in closed-loop controlling of one droplet per pulse transfer mode and also can help for optimizing the welding parameters.     

短路过渡气体保护焊参数优化

在单片机控制逆变电源平台上,开发了短路过渡控制系统,设计了合适的电流波形控制方式.采用正交试验法进行方差分析,研究了不同波形控制参数对短路过渡的影响规律.结果表明,短路电流初始上升速度和燃弧电流下降速度对短路过渡的稳定性影响较大.短路电流后期的上升速度对平均燃弧时间的影响较大,但对短路过渡周期的稳定性影响较小.在正交试验的基础上,对波形控制参数进行了优化,实现了高度稳定的短路过渡,取得了较好的焊接效果.