AC TIG welding with single-component oxide activating flux for AZ31B magnesium alloys

Magnesium-based alloys are finding extensive applications foreground in aerospace and automotive applications. Weldability of magnesium alloys has recently been investigated with a variety of processes. In this article, the activating flux TIG (ATIG) welding of magnesium alloys with three single-component fluxes (TiO₂, Cr₂O₃ and SiO₂) under alternating current (AC) mode was studied. The effects of welding speed, weld current and electrode gap on the weld shape and the weld arc voltage in AC TIG welding with oxide fluxes were investigated on an AZ31B magnesium alloy substrate. The mechanisms of oxide fluxes on the arc shape and the arc voltage on the weld shape are discussed. The result showed that the TiO₂ and Cr₂O₃ increase the weld penetration of AC TIG welding of magnesium with good bead cosmetics. The SiO₂ increased the weld penetration with very poor formation of the weld surface. However, the arc voltage decreased with the used of TiO₂ flux, and increased with the used of Cr₂O₃ flux. The mechanism of TiO₂ and Cr₂O₃ fluxes increasing penetration should not accord with the “arc constriction”. It would comply with some potential effects of the flux interacting with the liquid metal of fusion zone.     

Activated flux TIG welding of Inconel 718 super alloy in presence of tri-component flux

In this study, we have explored the influence of newly developed tri-component oxide flux (Cr₂O₃, FeO, and MoO₃) on weldability, bead geometry, weld pool temperature variation, and mechanical strength of Inconel 718 welded joints. Moreover, the influence of used flux on weld pool, the surface morphology of electrode and penetration capability of tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding on Inconel 718 plates have been well elucidated. Results indicate that the flux mixture significantly increases the penetration depth as well as aspect ratio almost 200% as compared to conventional TIG welding. The arc constriction caused by newly developed oxide flux upsurges the heat density and the weld pool temperature of joints. The alloying effect caused by entrapped oxide particles greatly improves the hardness as well as the tensile strength of joints. The reported reinforcement in the welding performance may increase potential utility of the developed methods for real-world applications.     

粉末熔池耦合活性TIG焊接方法

提出了一种新型活性焊接方法——粉末熔池耦合活性TIG焊(Powder pool coupled activating TIG welding,PPCATIG)。该方法采用双层气体进行焊接,内层利用惰性气体保护钨极,外层通过自动送粉装置将活性剂粉末随保护气体送入电弧-熔池区域,增加熔深,提高焊接效率,实现机械化自动化焊接。针对SUS304不锈钢进行了直流正接PPCA-TIG表面熔深,通过与传统TIG焊对比,研究了SiO_2活性剂对电弧形态、焊缝成形、组织和力学性能的影响。结果表明:SiO_2能使电弧等离子体收缩、熔池金属流态改变,并且焊缝熔深能达到传统TIG焊的3倍以上,焊接效率明显提高。焊缝组织主要为奥氏体和铁素体,铁素体形态以骨架状为主。焊缝抗拉强度略低于母材,但相比传统TIG焊,焊缝屈服强度略有提高,其焊缝低温冲击韧性达到了传统TIG焊的96.8%,表现出了良好的力学性能。同时,采用该方法可有效避免活性剂粉末对钨极的污染。     

Evolution of microstructures and mechanical properties of AZ31B magnesium alloy weldment with active oxide fluxes and GTAW process

In this study, the effect of active oxide fluxes with gas tungsten arc welding on the microstructure and mechanical properties of AZ31B magnesium alloy weldment was investigated. The gas tungsten arc welding process through a flux spray layer was applied to an AZ31B magnesium alloy sheet to produce a bead-on-plate specimen. Oxide (TiO₂, SiO₂, Fe₂O₃, Al₂O_3, and ZrO₂) powders were used as the activating fluxes. The macrographs and micrographs of the weld beads were examined using an optical microscope and a scanning electron microscope. The specimens with SiO₂ and Fe₂O₃ fluxes had high depth-to-width ratio welds, followed by those with TiO₂ and ZrO₂ fluxes and while that with Al₂O₃ flux had the low ratio weld. The use of 70?A welding current for the specimens with different fluxes produced complete penetration, whereas the specimen without any flux required a 90 A welding current to produce complete penetration. The weld bead microstructure was affected by the activating fluxes, which created different thermal effects that changed the convection direction and promoted the formation of various precipitates in the fusion zone during solidification. Three types of precipitates were found in the fusion zones, that is, a long layer-shaped TiAlMg precipitate with TiO₂ flux, a spherical AlMgZn precipitate with Al₂O₃ flux, and an oval-shaped MgAlMn precipitate with all types of fluxes. The mechanical properties of AZ31B magnesium alloy were measured by tensile testing in the rolling direction. Fractures occurred in the fusion zone near the heat-affected zone interface of specimens welded with TiO₂ flux, revealing a brittle fracture with trans-granular cleavage facets and a large number of small, bright dimples at the center. Such brittle fractures also occurred in the fusion zone of specimens welded with Al₂O_3, ZrO₂, SiO₂, and Fe₂O₃ fluxes. Similarly, the specimens welded with Al₂O₃ exhibited a brittle fracture with trans-granular facets, whereas the other specimens revealed a brittle fracture with inter-granular cleavage facets.     

Effect of Welding Parameters on Dilution and Weld Bead Geometry in Cladding

The effect of pulsed gas metal arc welding （GMAW） variables on the dilution and weld bead geometry in cladding X65 pipeline steel with 316L stainless steel was studied. Using a full factorial method, a series of experiments were carried out to know the effect of wire feed rate, welding speed, distance between gas nozzle and plate, and the vertical angle of welding on dilution and weld bead geometry. The findings indicate that the dilution of weld metal and its dimension i.e. width, height and depth increase with the feed rate, but the contact angle of the bead decreases first and then increases. Meantime, welding speed has an opposite effect except for dilution. There is an interaction effect between welding parameters at the contact angle. The results also show forehand welding or decreasing electrode extension decrease the angle of contact. Finally, a mathematical model is contrived to highlight the relationship between welding variables with dilution and weld bead geometry.     

Predicting of bead undercut defects in high-speed gas metal arc welding (GMAW)

In the gas metal arc welding (GMAW) process, when the welding speed reaches a certain threshold, there will be an onset of weld bead undercut defects which limit the further increase of the welding speed. Establishing a mathematical model for high-speed GMAW to predict the tendency of bead undercuts is of great significance to prevent such defects. Under the action of various forces, the transferred metal from filler wire to the weld pool, and the geometry and dimension of the pool itself decide if the bead undercut occurs or not. The previous model simplified the pool shape too much. In this paper, based on the actual weld pool geometry and dimension calculated from a numerical model, a hydrostatic model for liquid metal surface is used to study the onset of bead undercut defects in the high-speed welding process and the effects of different welding parameters on the bead undercut tendency.     

Optimization of A-TIG process parameters using response surface methodology

In the present work, the influence of process parameters such as welding current (I), welding speed (S), and flux coating density (F) on different aspects of weld bead geometry for example depth of penetration (DOP), bead width (BW), depth to width ratio (D/W), and weld fusion zone area (WA) were investigated by using the central composite design (CCD). 9–12% Cr ferritic stainless steel (FSS) plates were welded using A-TIG welding. It was observed that all input variables have a direct influence on the DOP, BW, and D/W. However, flux coating density has no significant effect on WA. Mathematical models were generated from the obtained responses to predict the weld bead geometry. An optimized DOP, BW, D/W, and WA of 6.95?mm, 8.76?mm, 0.80, and 41.99?mm², respectively, were predicted at the welding current of 213.78 A, the welding speed of 96.22?mm/min, and the flux coating density of 1.99?mg/cm². Conformity test was done to check the practicability of the developed models. The conformity test results were in good agreement with the predicted values. Arc constriction and reversal in Marangoni convection were considered as major mechanisms for the deep and narrow weld bead during A-TIG welding.     

Predicting of bead undercut defects in high-speed gas metal arc welding (GMAW)

In the gas metal arc welding (GMAW) process, when the welding speed reaches a certain threshold, there will be an onset of weld bead undercut defects which limit the further increase of the welding speed. Establishing a mathematical model for high-speedGMAWto predict the tendency of bead undercuts is of great significance to prevent such defects. Under the action of various forces, the transferred metal from filler wire to the weld pool, and the geometry and dimension of the pool itself decide if the bead undercut occurs or not. The previous model simplified the pool shape too much. In this paper, based on the actual weld pool geometry and dimension calculated from a numerical model, a hydrostatic model for liquid metal surface is used to study the onset of bead undercut defects in the high-speed welding process and the effects of different welding parameters on the bead undercut tendency.     

Experimental investigation on the effects of process parameters of GMAW and transient thermal analysis of AISI321 steel

Gas metal arc welding (GMAW) develops an arc by controlling the metal from the wire rod and the input process parameters. The deposited metal forms a weld bead and themechanical properties depend upon the quality of the weld bead. Proper control of the process parameters which affect the bead geometry, the microstructures of the weldments and the mechanical properties like hardness, is necessary. This experimental study aims at developing mathematical models for bead height (HB), bead width (WB) and bead penetration (PB) and investigating the effects of four process parameters
viz: welding voltage, welding speed, wire feed rate and gas flow rate on bead geometry, hardness and microstructure of AISI321 steel with 10 mm thickness. The transient thermal analysis shows temperature and residual stress distributions at different conduction and convection conditions.     

Study on welding process and prosperities of AA5754 Al-alloy welded by double pulsed gas metal arc welding

In this paper, the effect of double pulsed gas metal arc welding (DP-GMAW) on metal droplet transfer, weld pool profile, weld bead geometry and weld joint mechanical properties of Al alloy AA5754 are presented. A high speed camera was utilized to reveal the metal transfer behavior and weld pool profile. A self-developed electrical signal acquire system was adopted to record the current waveform during welding process. The results indicated that the metal transfer, weld pool profile and weld bead geometry in DP-GMAW significantly differ with P-GMAW. The microstructure showed that grain size of the weld bead decreased with increasing of thermal pulse frequency, and the eutectic precipitates Mg₂Si were homogeneously distributed at fusion zone. The mechanical properties of welded joints were improved.     

2219高强铝合金活性TIG焊工艺

采用单组分活性剂(AlF_3和LiF)、3组分(AlF_3+30%LiF+10%KF-AlF_3)和4组分(AlF_3+30%LiF+10%KFAlF_3+10%K_2SiF_6)混合组分活性剂进行2219高强铝合金直流正极性活性TIG焊(DCSP A-TIG),研究4种类型活性剂对焊缝表面成型、焊缝内部质量(气孔)、焊缝熔深、电弧形态、接头组织与力学性能的影响。结果表明:涂覆活性剂有助于去除2219铝合金表面的氧化膜,提高焊缝表面成型质量,涂覆4组分活性剂的DCSP A-TIG焊缝表面成型质量最佳;与变极性TIG焊(VPTIG)焊缝内部质量相比,DCSP A-TIG焊接方法可显著降低2219铝合金焊缝内部气孔的产生;AlF_3单组分活性剂可显著增大焊缝熔深,其电弧形态具有明显的拖弧现象;DCSP A-TIG焊焊缝组织具有与母材相同的组织组成物,电流对A-TIG焊缝组织影响较大,增大焊接电流,会造成接头晶粒组织粗大;涂覆4组分活性剂的DCSP A-TIG接头强度和伸长率最高,与VPTIG焊接头力学性能具有相近的技术指标。2219高强铝合金的DCSP A-TIG焊接方法具有很大的工程应用价值。     

Numerical simulation of humping phenomenon in high speed gas metal arc welding

It is of great significance to obtain a thorough understanding of the physical mechanisms responsible for humping bead phenomenon in high speed gas metal arc welding (GMAW) in order to raise welding efficiency. Experiments were conducted to observe the weld pool behaviors in high speed GMAW, and it was found that both the severely deformed weld pool surface and strong backward flowing play a dominant role in humping bead formation. In this study, a mathematical model is developed to quantitatively analyze the forming mechanism of humping beads for high speed GMAW through considering both the momentum and heat content distribution of the backward flowing molten metal inside the weld pool. The transient development of temperature profiles in the weld pool with severe deformation demonstrates the humping bead forming process under some welding conditions. The predicted and measured humping bead dimensions are in agreement.     

Effects of the Process Parameters on Austenitic Stainless Steel by TIG-Flux Welding

The effects of the process parameters of TIG （tungsten inset gas）-flux welding on the welds morphology, angular distortion, ferrite content and hot cracking in austenitic stainless steel were investigated. Autogenous TIG welding process was applied to the type 304 stainless steel through a thin layer of activating flux to produce a bead on plate welded joint. TiO2, SiO2, Fe2O3, Cr2O3, ZnO and MnO2 were used as the activating fluxes. The experimental results indicated that the TIG-flux welding can increase the weld depth/width ratio and reduce the HAZ （heat affected zone） range, and therefore the angular distortion of the weldment can be reduced. It was also found that the retained ferrite content within the TIG-flux welds is increased, and has a beneficial effect in reducing hot cracking tendency for stainless steels of the austenitic type weld metals. A plasma column constriction increases the current density at the anode spot and then a substantial increase in penetration of the TIG-flux welds can be obtained.     

Study of the characteristics of duplex stainless steel activated tungsten inert gas welds

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of the specific fluxes used in the tungsten inert gas (TIG) process on surface appearance, weld morphology, angular distortion, mechanical properties, and microstructures when welding 6 mm thick duplex stainless steel. This study applies a novel variant of the autogenous TIG welding, using oxide powders (TiO₂, MnO₂, SiO₂, MoO₃, and Cr₂O₃), to grade 2205 stainless steel through a thin layer of the flux to produce a bead-on-plate joint. Experimental results indicate that using SiO₂, MoO₃, and Cr₂O₃ fluxes leads to a significant increase in the penetration capability of TIG welds. The activated TIG process can increase the joint penetration and the weld depth-to-width ratio, and tends to reduce the angular distortion of grade 2205 stainless steel weldment. The welded joint also exhibited greater mechanical strength. These results suggest that the plasma column and the anode root are a mechanism for determining the morphology of activated TIG welds.     

Hybridization of filler wire in multi-pass gas metal arc welding of SA516 Gr70 carbon steel

In the present investigation, multi-pass gas metal arc welding (GMAW) of SA516 Gr70 carbon steel was carried out by different filler wires such as solid, metal cored and flux cored, wherein, other process parameters were kept constant. The hybrid approach of multi-pass filler wires was applied to obtain three different welds. The root pass was filled by a solid wire for all three cases while the subsequent filler pass was applied through solid, flux-cored and metal cored filler wires, respectively. Metallographic, mechanical and metallurgical analyses such as macrograph study, optical microscopy, tensile testing and hardness variations were performed to address the quality of weld. The results revealed that defect-free sound welds were produced by the hybrid approach of different filler wires in multi-pass GMAW. Overall cost and time reduction can be achieved through hybrid filler welds, without affecting their mechanical strength. Angular distortion was reported minimum at hybrid weld of solid and metal cored filler wire. Maximum reinforcement with higher penetration was observed at weld of solid and metal cored filler wire. Impact toughness was reported higher in case of hybrid weld of solid and flux cored filler wire. Higher macro hardness was reported at weld of solid and flux cored filler wire.     

Numerical simulation of fluid flow and temperature field in keyhole double‐sided arc welding process on stainless steel

Double‐sided arc welding process powered by a single supply is a type of novel high‐production process. In comparison with the conventional single‐sided arc welding, this process has remarkable advantages in enhancing penetration, minimizing distortion and improving welding production. In this paper, a three‐dimensional steady numerical model is developed for the heat transfer and fluid flow in plasma arc (PA)–gas tungsten arc (GTA) double‐sided keyhole welding process. The model considers the surface tension gradient, electromagnetic force and buoyancy force. A CCD camera is used to observe the size and shape of the keyhole and weld pool. The acquired images are analysed through image processing to obtain the surface diameters of the keyhole on the two sides. A double‐V‐shaped keyhole geometry is then proposed and its characteristic parameters are derived from the images and cross‐section of weld bead. In the numerical model, the keyhole cavum within the weld pool is treated as a whole quality, whose temperature is fixed at the boiling point of the workpiece material. The heat exchange between the keyhole and weld pool is treated as an interior boundary of the workpiece. Based on the numerical model, the distributions of the fluid flow and temperature field are calculated. A comparison of cross‐section of the weld bead with the experimental result shows that the numerical model's accuracy is reasonable. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The mechanism of penetration increase in A-TIG welding

The mechanism of the increasing of A-TIG welding penetration is studied by using the activating flux we developed for stainless steel. The effect of flux on the flow and temperature fields of weld pool is simulated by the PHOENICS software. It shows that without flux, the fluid flow will be outward along the surface of the weld pool and then down, resulting in a flatter weld pool shape. With the flux, the oxygen, which changes the temperature dependence of surface tension grads from a negative value to a positive value, can cause significant changes on the weld penetration. Fluid flow will be inward along the surface of the weld pool toward the center and then down. This fluid flow pattern efficiently transfers heat to the weld root and produces a relatively deep and narrow weld. This change is the main cause of penetration increase. Moreover, arc construction can cause the weld width to become narrower and the penetration to become deeper, but this is not the main cause of penetration increase. The effects of flux on fluid flow of the weld pool surface and arc profiles were observed in conventional TIG welding and in A-TIG welding by using high-speed video camera. The fluid flow behavior was visualized in real-time scale by micro focused X-ray transmission video observation system. The result indicated that stronger inward fluid flow patterns leading to weld beads with narrower width and deeper penetration could be apparently identified in the case of A-TIG welding. The flux could change the direction of fluid flow in welding pool. It has a good agreement with the simulation results.     

Effect of controlled atmosphere on the mig-mag arc weldment properties

Due to their higher welding speed, automation and weld pool protection against to the atmosphere gases, gas metal arc welding (GMAW) process is widely used in industry. Due to the less stable arc associated with the use of consumable electrodes, GMAW process is not clean as good as gas tungsten arc welding process. Furthermore, the greater arc length in GMAW process also reduces the protective effect of the shielding gas. Due to electrochemical and thermochemical reactions between weld pool and arc atmosphere, it is quite important, especially weld metal toughness and joining of reactive materials to entirely create inert atmosphere for GMAW process. Therefore, a controlled atmosphere cabinet was developed for GMAW process. Low carbon steel combinations were welded with classical GMAW process in argon atmosphere as well as controlled atmosphere cabinet by using similar welding parameters. The mechanical and metallurgical properties of both weldments were evaluated. Result shows that toughness of the weld metal that was obtained in the controlled atmosphere cabinet much higher than that of classical GMAW process. The metallographic examination also clarified that there was not any gas porosity and inclusion in the weld metal compared with classical process.     

Process parameter selection for optimising weld bead geometry in stainless steel cladding using Taguchi's approach

Abstract

In the present study, the Taguchi method, a tool to design optimisation for quality, is used to find the optimal welding process parameters for cladding of austenitic stainless steel. An orthogonal array, the signal to noise (S/N) ratio, and the analysis of variance (ANOVA) are employed to investigate the effect of process parameters on weld bead characteristics. The present study was conducted by depositing AISI 317L onto an IS : 2062 structural steel substrate by the flux cored arc welding (FCAW) process under the shield of 95%Ar and 5%CO₂ gas mixture. The weld bead parameters are optimised individually (single objective) as well as collectively (multiobjective) to get the desired quality characteristics. The results show that these techniques can be used effectively to control the process parameters in cladding with certain limitations.     

Research on the Mechanism of Penetration Increase by Flux in A-TIG Welding

The mechanism of penetration depth increased by activating flux in activating tungsten inert gas (A-TIG) weldingwas studied by measuring the distribution of trace element Bi in the weld and monitoring the change of arc voltageduring A-TIG welding of stain