Investigation on droplet momentum in VPPA-GMAW hybrid welding of aluminum alloys

Variable polarity plasma arc-gas metal arc welding (VPPA-GMAW) is a superior technology for welding thick plates of high-strength aluminum alloys. It integrates the advantages of energy focusing and high penetration depth in VPPA welding, and those of high welding efficiency and wide range of technological parameters in GMAW process. In this work, we investigated the droplet momentum in paraxial VPPA-GMAW hybrid welding of 7A52 aluminum alloys, and the technological parameters of welding process was also optimized. The images of droplet transfer were captured by high-speed camera, while the droplet speeds and sizes were statistically analyzed by t tests of independent samples. The results showed that the speeds of droplet arriving at the weld pool were significantly between GMAW and VPPA-GMAW processes, and the droplet speed increases with increasing plasma currents within a certain range. Meanwhile, the droplet momentum in VPPA-GMAW process is larger than that in conventional GMAW process. We also found that as the droplet momentum increased, the depression of weld pool grew more obvious and greatly facilitated the deep-penetration welding. In VPPA-GMAW process, it became more and more easier for the droplet to fall off the wire when the electromagnetic force gradually increased during pulse period. Droplet movement through the arc zone was further accelerated since the central pressure of arc column increased during base period. This research can provide some theoretical support for thick plate welding of high-strength aluminum alloys and help for deeper understanding of the hybrid arc coupling mechanism.     

Wire melting rate of alternating current gas metal arc welding

The wire melting phenomenon in alternating current gas metal arc welding (AC-GMAW) process should be carefully observed and analyzed since it is one of the most important representative characteristics of GMAW process. In this study, a new form of wire melting rate equation for AC-GMAW process is proposed based on energy conservation theory and arc physics. Using experimental data, the wire melting rate coefficients of AC-GMAW are obtained through nonlinear regression analysis. The wire melting rate is influenced not only by the current waveform, electrode polarity, and droplet size but also by the shape of the wire tip. That is, if the wire tip becomes more slender, arc heating has more influence on the wire melting. Using the wire melting rate proposed in this research, the uncertainty of calculating wire melting rate coefficients of AC-GMAW can be excluded comparing to existing method.     

Prevention of humping bead associated with high welding speed by double-electrode gas metal arc welding

Manufacturing productivity can be improved by increasing the welding speed. However, humping bead will occur when welding speed is beyond a certain value. An experimental system of double-electrode gas metal arc welding (DE-GMAW) was developed to implement high speed welding and prevent from humping bead formation. The DE-GMAW appropriately partition the heat energy between the wire and the base metal so that higher deposition rate of filler wire and suitable shape and size of weld pool are ensured. The arc images captured during DE-GMAW process were used to optimize the geometric parameters between the gas tungsten arc welding and the gas metal arc welding (GMAW) torches. The main arc and bypass arc integrated well and satisfactory weld bead formation was obtained. Through observing the weld pool behaviors from side view during DE-GMAW process, it was found that the height of both solidified and molten region at the pool tail is almost flat so that no humping bead was formed during DE-GMAW with the welding speed up to 1.7?m/min. The side view images of weld pool in DE-GMAW were compared with those in conventional GMAW, and the reason why DE-GMAW can suppress humping bead is shortly discussed.     

Numerical simulation of metal transfer process in tandem GMAW

A numerical model based on fluid dynamics theory and electromagnetic theory is developed to simulate the dynamic metal transfer process in tandem gas metal arc welding (T-GMAW). The relationship between welding current and surface tension coefficient is modified by analysis of regression in this model. The numerical simulation of the metal transfer process in T-GMAW is compared with that in single-wire gas metal arc welding (SW-GMAW). It is found that a droplet transfers axially in SW-GMAW, but the droplets transfer non-axially in T-GMAW. To verify the accuracy of simulated results, the welding experiments were performed in which the actual metal transfer processes were recorded by high-speed photography. The simulated results are in good agreement with the experimental ones. This transfer behavior in T-GMAW is analyzed by studying the distributions of physical quantities including pressure, velocity, and electric potential of the droplet. The simulated results reveal that the electromagnetic force between two droplets results in the different metal transfer process. With the increase of the welding current, the surface tension coefficient decreases and the electromagnetic force increases. As a consequence, the metal transfer process in T-GMAW is accelerated.     

Advanced gas metal arc welding processes

There is an increased requirement in the automotive, food and medical equipment industries to weld heat-sensitive materials, such as thin sheets, coated thin plates, stainless steel, aluminium and mixed joints. Nevertheless, relevant innovations in arc welding are not widely known and seldom used to their maximum potential. In the area of gas metal arc welding welding processes, digitalisation has allowed integration of software into the power source, wire feeder and gas regulation. This paper reviews developments in the arc welding process, particularly the effect of the set-up of the welding process parameters on waveform deposition. It is found that good weldability, good mechanical joint properties and acceptable process efficiency can be obtained for thin sheets through advanced power source regulation, especially over short circuiting, controlled polarity and electrode wire motion. The findings presented in this paper are valuable for waveform and deposition prediction. The need is furthermore noted for an algorithm that integrates gas flow parameters and wire motion control, as well as a variable sensor on the tip of the electrode, permitting flexibility of control of the current and the voltage waveform.     

Effect of laser on the welding process of short-circuiting transfer MIG welding of aluminum alloys

In this paper, the effect of laser on the welding process in metal inert gas (MIG) welding of aluminum alloys was studied exploiting high-speed imaging and welding electrical signals collecting. Bead-on-plate welding experiments were conducted using conventional short-circuiting transfer MIG welding and laser-short-circuiting transfer MIG hybrid welding. The obtained results point out that it took less time to strike the arc in laser-MIG hybrid welding, and the stability of arc striking was increased. When the laser was introduced into the arc atmosphere, the arc was compressed, and the welding energy was more concentrated. The arc cathode spot was fixed to the laser beam impinging spot, so the arc could burn stably. In laser-MIG hybrid welding, the droplet short-circuiting transfer stability and the weld appearance were improved significantly. Moreover, an analysis method of judging droplet transfer stability which bases on statistical techniques was proposed. By this method, it can be concluded that the short-circuiting transfer process became more stable in laser-MIG hybrid welding.     

Experimental Study on Metal Transfer and Welding Spatter Characteristics of Cellulose Electrode

Welding spatter cause many problems during the welding process and this issue is particularly important for cellulose electrode welding.The hot flying spatter balls often deteriorate the working environment,and decrease the welding efficiency.Many factors affect the welding spatter,and metal transfer behavior is one of the main factors.Many studies concerning the spatter mechanism in arc welding process were made;most of them focused on the solid wire welding and the study on cellulose electrode is rarely reported.In this paper the metal transfer behavior and the weld spatter characteristics of three commercial cellulose electrodes were studied experimentally by using a high speed camera for visually capturing the metal transfer.The relationship between the metal transfer and the welding spatter was analyzed experimentally by comparing the spatter loss coefficient,which is for quantitative evaluation of welding spatter,with the statistical analysis of the large droplet transfer mode.The results showed that short circuiting transfer,large droplet spray transfer,fine droplet spray transfer and explosive transfer govern the metal transfer modes in cellulose electrode welding.Weld spatter occurred mainly in the deflection of large droplet process,explosive transfer process and fine droplet spraying process.Different metal transfer modes lead to different spatter.The deflection of large droplet and explosive transfer are the main factors of the spatter formation.Minimizing the droplet size and reducing the deflection of large droplet and explosive transfer leads to the reduction the amount of spatter in cellulose electrode welding.     

短路过渡CO2焊接熔滴形状数值模拟与控制

为了进一步提高短路过渡CO2气体保护电弧焊的工艺性能和焊接质量,根据高速CCD摄像获得的熔滴及其短路过渡图像,分析了熔滴与熔池短路前的形状对熔滴与熔池的短路、熔滴在熔池中的铺展及液桥缩颈形成的影响.采用熔滴静力平衡模型研究了电磁力(燃弧电流)、表面张力、重力与熔滴形状的关系,并通过对燃弧电流的精确控制实现了对熔滴形状的有效控制.当熔滴与熔池短路前为细长形状时,短路过渡过程稳定柔顺,而当熔滴为扁平形状时,则不利于熔滴的短路过渡,甚至产生瞬时短路.燃弧阶段的熔滴形状体现了各种力对熔滴的作用,而电磁力(燃弧电流)是决定熔滴形状的主要因素.根据燃弧电流对熔滴形状的影响规律,提出了采用前期大、后期小的燃弧电流控制原则,以在燃弧的不同阶段获得不同的熔滴形状.试验结果表明该控制方法获得了良好的适合于熔滴短路过渡的短路前熔滴形状,短路过渡过程柔顺稳定,消除了瞬时短路以及由此导致的飞溅,改善了熔滴的短路过渡行为,短路过渡结束后焊丝端部的残余液态金属具有良好的一致性.     

Estimation and control of droplet size and frequency in projected spray mode of a gas metal arc welding (GMAW) process

New estimators are designed based on the modified force balance model to estimate the detaching droplet size, detached droplet size, and mean value of droplet detachment frequency in a gas metal arc welding process. The proper droplet size for the process to be in the projected spray transfer mode is determined based on the modified force balance model and the designed estimators. Finally, the droplet size and the melting rate are controlled using two proportional-integral (PI) controllers to achieve high weld quality by retaining the transfer mode and generating appropriate signals as inputs of the weld geometry control loop.     

激光+双丝脉冲MAG复合焊的焊接稳定性

研究激光和Ar+He混合气体中He气体体积分数对激光+双丝脉冲MAG复合焊焊接稳定性的影响。搭建激光+双丝脉冲熔化极活性气体保护(Metal active-gas, MAG)复合焊焊接系统,利用LabVIEW信号采集系统采集焊接电流和电弧电压波形,借助高速摄像系统同步拍摄电弧形态和熔滴过渡过程,实时监测焊接过程。观察后丝短路和前丝断弧情况并对前丝电弧电压进行单因素方差分析,研究Ar+He混合气体中He气体体积分数对焊接稳定性影响;比较焊接过程中激光的有无对熔滴过渡的影响,分析激光对焊接稳定性影响。结果发现随着He气体体积分数增大,后丝对应短路次数增多,当He气体体积分数为50%时,前丝出现断弧现象,大于50%,断弧时间随之增加,焊接稳定性变差;激光+双丝脉冲MAG复合焊和双丝脉冲MAG复合焊相比,加入激光可稳定电弧,为熔滴提供一附加力,该力促进熔滴过渡,使熔滴过渡尺寸减小,加大过渡频率,改善熔滴过渡,提高焊接稳定性。     

不同波长激光对激光—MAG电弧复合焊接熔滴行为的影响

通过计算分析了金属对Nd：YAG激光和CO2激光的吸收率;以8.0mm厚高强钢板为试验材料,采用高速摄像系统观测熔滴过渡模式和等离子体形态的变化.建立脉冲MAG焊接熔滴力学模型,从熔滴受力角度分析了不同波长两种激光YAG激光和C02激光在激光—MAG焊接中对熔滴过渡形式和熔滴过渡频率的影响.结果表明,Nd：YAG激光和CO2激光输出特性存在差异,金属表面对YAG激光的吸收率约为CO2激光的3倍多;在焊接电流180A、焊接电压26V、光丝间距3mm的相同条件下,YAG激光—MAG电弧复合焊接熔滴过渡频率高于CO2激光—MAG电弧复合焊接的熔滴过渡频率,且熔滴过渡频率均随着激光功率的增加而降低,但是增加等量的激光功率,YAG激光—MAG电弧复合焊接熔滴过渡频率下降幅度更大;CO2激光—MAG电弧复合焊接过程中,熔滴的过渡形式由射滴过渡转变为颗粒过渡,在YAG激光—MAG电弧复合焊接过程中,熔滴过渡形式主要为射滴过渡.     

脉冲MIG焊建模仿真分析及弧长控制

针对脉冲MIG焊过程中的电弧稳定性问题,建立基于尖端不稳定熔滴过渡理论的焊丝熔化动态电弧模型,并对焊接过程中的电弧电压、电弧长度及熔滴过渡尺寸进行仿真,得到与实际焊接相似的电弧电压波形,分析脉冲电流下熔滴过渡频率及影响电弧稳定性的因素,且进行弧长稳定控制的仿真研究,在此基础上运用快速原型技术建立铝合金脉冲MIG焊控制系统,采用电弧电压反馈对铝合金脉冲MIG焊过程进行送丝调节的弧长控制试验。研究表明:所建立的铝合金脉冲MIG焊焊丝熔化动态电弧模型很好反映了实际焊接过程,揭示出脉冲MIG焊焊接过程中熔滴过渡时间间隔具有一定的不确定性和电弧长度的不稳定性,通过电弧电压反馈控制可显著改善铝合金脉冲MIG焊过程电弧系统的稳定性。     

Effect of shielding gas mixture on gas metal arc welding of HSLA steel using solid and flux-cored wires

In this work, gas metal arc welding of high strength-low alloy (HSLA) steel with solid- and flux-cored arc welding wires using different shielding gas compositions was performed. The composition of filler wire and shielding gas in gas metal arc welds of HSLA steel determines the inclusion characteristics, microstructure and mechanical properties. Thus, acceptable weld metal properties in HSLA steel using gas metal arc welding (GMAW) process could be achieved with the proper combination of filler wire and shielding gas composition.     

超声辅助MIG焊接中超声作用特性研究

超声辅助熔化极惰性气体保护(Ultrasonic assisted metal inert gas,U-MIG)焊是一种新型熔化极焊接方法,利用外加声场将相应声学效果引入焊接熔池达到改善接头性能的目的。通过试验系统化研究超声对电弧形态、熔滴过渡以及接头宏观形貌的作用规律,主要目标是更好地理解超声在不同焊接条件下的作用特点。对高速摄像采集的电弧数据进行处理,结果发现随电弧电压增加,超声对电弧的压缩效果也逐渐增大;而随送丝速度增加,焊接电流增大,电弧压缩效果减弱。针对熔滴受力特点分析,可以看出超声作用后熔滴会受到一个促进熔滴过渡的附加力作用。在焊接电流为200 A时,该附加力达到最大,约为2.8×10-3 N,继续增大焊接电流,该附加力逐渐降低。对比不同送丝速度时焊缝宏观形貌,结果显示为了获得更高的焊接效率不能无限提高送丝速度,存在一个最佳的参数匹配值。结合平面驻波理论分析,随温度增加,声辐射力逐渐减弱,这在一定程度上也会削弱附加力作用效果。利用熔池薄膜模型探讨电弧、熔滴过渡以及熔池振荡三者之间的关系,超声对电弧形态、熔滴过渡的影响均可改变熔池的振荡特性,这间接表现为接头形貌的改变。通过试验与理论分析,为U-MIG焊接方法进一步发展与应用打下坚实基础。     

Effect of surface tension metal transfer on fume formation rate during flux-cored arc welding of HSLA steel

This paper reports the effect of process parameters on fume formation rate during flux-cored arc welding (FCAW) of high-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steel plates using steady current mode and surface tension transfer (STT) mode. Five levels of wire feed speed and five levels of voltage were used to generate welding fumes. Fume formation rate (FFR) was determined by ANSI/AWS F1.2 method. Investigation reveals that FCAW with STT mode reduced the FFR around 40?C50% when compared with steady current mode. The STT mode of welding also provides excellent weld bead geometry and microhardness level. Three-dimensional representation of FFR was generated and gives clear representation about the influence of process parameters on FFR for both the steady current mode and STT mode welding.     

ACQUIRING AND PATTERN RECOGNITION OF SPECTRUM INFORMATION OF WELDING METAL TRANSFER

In order to recognize various metal transfer modes, by the creation of a pattern recognition system for metal transfer mode, five kinds of spectrum signal in gas metal arc welding (MIG, MAG and CO2) are collected and taken as training samples. These samples are pretreated by computer. Several key characteristic parameters of the spectrum signal are creatively extracted, and a corresponding recognition function and a minimum-distance-classifier are constructed. The results show that using this method, the pattern recognition of several kinds of metal transfer mode for the metal gas arc welding can be done successfully. It has good accuracy and recognition precision, basis for controlling the metal gas arc welding metal transfer automatically, and relative important parameters in welding process, such as the frequency of droplet transfer and the approximate diameter of each droplet, can also be obtained.     

MAG焊脉冲旋转喷射过渡时液锥旋转机制的力学分析

通过高速摄影技术和影片运动数据处理系统，测定了脉冲旋转喷射过渡时焊丝末端液锥的运动学与动力学参数，同时计算出焊丝末端液锥上承受的径向力和切向力。研究结果指出：这些力造成焊丝末端液锥产生旋转，且电弧的脉冲能增大会影响及径向力和切向力的增大     

波控短路过渡CO_2焊接恒频自适应控制系统

针对短路过渡ＣＯ２焊接工艺的特殊性,基于熔滴与熔池短路阶　段电源输出回路电阻的变化特征,确定了有利于消除瞬时短路及提高熔滴过渡规则性的焊接　电源输出电流波形。在对短路过渡频率及焊丝伸出长度进行实时检测的基础上,采用ＭＣ６８ＨＣ　１１Ａ１单片机为主控ＣＰＵ,　建立了焊丝伸出长度变化前馈补偿—短路过渡频率负反馈控制的波控短路过渡ＣＯ２焊接恒频自适应控制系统,以提高焊接工艺过程的稳定性、抑制焊丝伸出长度变化对焊接工艺过程的扰动。     

Reduction of fume and gas emissions using innovative gas metal arc welding variants

New environmental, health and safety legislation, both in the EU and in the USA, is driving the need for the study of new welding processes, and the selection of the operational procedures that will reduce fume emissions and will promote a healthier, safer and more productive work environment. Actually, there are a significant number of publications related with gas metal arc welding hazards. However, for the new gas metal arc welding hazards variants, especially cold metal transfer, there is no data available concerning fumes and gases emissions. This paper attempts to point out ways of reducing the harmful effects of gas metal arc welding processes using different filler materials, different shielding gases, different operational welding procedures and three welding processes: gas metal arc welding process and two variants, pulsed gas metal arc welding and cold metal transfer. The effect of nitrogen oxide addition to the shielding gas composition on the amount of welding fumes and gaseous emissions produced during welding is also analysed. The amount of fume and gases generated during welding was measured over a range of current intensity and arc voltages, using the standard procedures contained in EN ISO 15011-2 [1]. The data presented give a summary of the different gas metal arc welding variants and their relations to fume generation rates and gases emitted. The results obtained give indications on measures to be taken in order to reduce fume and gas emissions. In general, the minimisation of fume formation rate can be achieved by using lower energy gas metal arc welding variants, gas shielding with low CO₂ and O₂ contents and “green” wires.     

激光-MIG双丝复合焊电弧特性与熔滴过渡研究

利用搭建的激光-熔化极惰性气体保护(Metal inert-gas,MIG)双丝复合焊接系统进行焊接试验。在试验中,主要研究激光功率、送丝速度、光丝间距和离焦量等几个主要变量对复合焊接稳定性、电弧特性和熔滴过渡的影响规律。分别选取电弧电压变异系数、电弧偏转角、熔滴过渡方式及过渡频率作为评价参量对稳定性、电弧特性和熔滴过渡进行分析。研究发现,随着激光功率增加,电弧偏转角先减小后增加,在1 000 W附近偏转角最小,焊接过程最稳定。引导丝熔滴始终为粗滴过渡,而跟随丝熔滴为粗滴过渡+少量短路过渡,熔滴过渡频率呈现先增加后下降的趋势。在送丝速度为4 m/min时引导丝和跟随丝的电弧稳定性最好,电弧偏转角先减小后增加最终趋于稳定。在离焦量为–1 mm时,引导丝和跟随丝熔滴过渡频率均达到最大值,分别为8.6Hz和6.3Hz。