Optimizing the Pulsed Current Gas Tungsten Arc Welding Parameters

The selection of process parameter in the gas tungsten arc （GTA） welding of titanium alloy was presented for obtaining optimum grain size and hardness. Titanium alloy （Ti-6Al-4V） is one of the most important non-ferrous metals which offers great potential application in aerospace, biomedical and chemical industries, because of its low density （4.5 g/cm^3）, excellent corrosion resistance, high strength, attractive fracture behaviour and high melting point （1678℃）. The preferred welding process for titanium alloy is frequent GTA welding due to its comparatively easier applicability and better economy. In the case of single pass （GTA） welding of thinner section of this alloy, the pulsed current has been found beneficial due to its advantages over the conventional continuous current process. Many considerations come into the picture and one needs to carefully balance various pulse current parameters to reach an optimum combination. Four factors, five level, central composite, rotatable design matrix were used to optimize the required number of experimental conditions. Mathematical models were developed to predict the fusion zone grain size using analysis of variance （ANOVA） and regression analysis. The developed models were optimized using the traditional Hooke and Jeeve＇s algorithm. Experimental results were provided to illustrate the proposed approach.

Effect of flash thermal annealing by pulsed current on rotational anisotropy in exchange-biased NiFe/FeMn film

In this paper, Ta/[NiFe（15 nm）/FeMn（10 nm）]/Ta exchange-biased bilayers are fabricated by magnetron sputtering, and their static and dynamic magnetic properties before and after rapid annealing treatment with pulsed current are charac- terized by using a vibrating sample magnetometer （VSM） and a vector network analyzer （VNA）, respectively. The exchange bias field He and static anisotropy field Hksta decrease from 118.45 Oe （10e = 79.5775 A.m-1） and 126.84 Oe at 0 V to 94.75 Oe and 102.31 Oe at 90 V, respectively, with increasing capacitor voltage, which supplies pulsed current to heat the sample. The effect of flash thermal annealing by pulsed current on the rotational anisotropy （Hrot）, the difference value between static and dynamic magnetic anisotropy, is investigated particularly. The highest Hrot is obtained in the sample annealing with 45-V capacitor （3300 μF） voltage. According to the anisotropic magnetoresistance measurements, it can be explained by the fact that the temperature of the sample is around the blocking temperature of the exchange bias system （Tb） at 45 V, the critical temperature where the formation of more unstable antiferromagnetic grains occurs.

Numerical Calculation and Experimental Research on Crack Arrest by Detour Effect and Joule Heating of High Pulsed Current in Remanufacturing

The remanufacturing blanks with cracks were considered as irreparable. With utilization of detour effect and Joule heating of pulsed current, a technique to arrest the crack in martensitic stainless steel FV520B is developed. According to finite element theory, the finite element（FE） model of the cracked rectangular specimen is established firstly. Then, based on electro-thermo-structure coupled theory, the distributions of current density, temperature field, and stress field are calculated for the instant of energizing. Furthermore, the simulation results are verified by some corresponding experiments performed on high pulsed current discharge device of type HCPD-I. Morphology and microstructure around the crack tip before and after electro pulsing treatment are observed by optical microscope（OM） and scanning electron microscope（SEM）, and then the diameters of fusion zone and heat affected zone（HAZ） are measured in order to contrast with numerical calculation results. Element distribution, nano-indentation hardness and residual stress in the vicinity of the crack tip are surveyed by energy dispersive spectrometer（EDS）, scanning probe microscopy（SPM） and X-ray stress gauge, respectively. The results show that the obvious partition and refined grain around the crack tip can be observed due to the violent temperature change. The contents of carbon and oxygen in fusion zone and HAZ are higher than those in matrix, and however the hardness around the crack tip decreases. Large residual compressive stress is induced in the vicinity of the crack tip and it has the same order of magnitude for measured results and numerical calculation results that is 100 MPa. The relational curves between discharge energies and diameters of the fusion zone and HAZ are obtained by experiments. The difference of diameter of fusion zone between measured and calculated results is less than 18.3%. Numerical calculation is very useful to define the experimental parameters. An effective method to prevent further extension of the crack is presented and can provide a reference for the compressor rotor blade remanufacturing.

Mechanism of high-energy pulsed current-assisted rolling of 08AL carbon steel ultra-thin strip

To improve the plastic deformation performance of a 08AL carbon steel ultra-thin strip,a pulsed electric field was integrated into the plastic processing of the ultra-thin strip,and the effects of high-energy current on its deformation ability were investigated.Current-assisted tensile tests were employed,and the results clarified that the pulsed current could reduce the activation energy of faults and promoted dislocation slip within grains and at grain boundaries,leading to a decrease in the deformation resistance of the metal and an increase in its plastic properties.Under the current density of 2.0 A/mm2,the yield strength,tensile strength,and elongation of the rolled sample reached 425 MPa,467 MPa,and 12.5%,respectively.During the rolling process,it was found that the pulsed current promoted the dynamic recrystallization of the ultra-thin strip,reduced its dislocation density and deformation resistance,and promoted the coordinated deformation of the metal.

Absolute Wall Thickness Measurement of Conducting Plates Using Pulsed Eddy Currents

The method using pulsed eddy currents to determine the thickness of a conduction plate is extended to enable the simultaneous measurement of the plate thickness and material properties. For optimal performance, a probe must be designed depending on the thickness range that should be accessible. The need for a calibration of the material properties of a conducting plate to enable the measurement of its thickness has been removed. All that is needed is a probe with known dimensions and suitable hardware to create a current pulse and measure a transient magnetic induction.

Effect of process parameters of pulsed current tungsten inert gas welding on weld pool geometry of titanium welds

The effects of pulsing current parameters on weld pool geometry namely front height, back height, front width and back width of pulse current gas tungsten arc welded （GTAW） titanium alloy was analysed. Four factors, five levels, central composite design were used to develop empirical relationships, incorporating pulsed current parameters and weld pool geometry.

Effect of pulsed current micro plasma arc welding process parameters on fusion zone grain size and ultimate tensile strength of Inconel 625 sheets

The paper focuses on developing mathematical models to predict grain size and ul- timate tensile strength of pulsed current micro plasma arc welded Inconel 625 nickel alloy. Four factors, five levels, central composite rotatable design matrix is used to op- timize the number of experiments. The mathematical models have been developed by response surface method. The adequacy of the models is checked by analysis of vari- ance technique. By using the developed mathematical models, grain size and ultimate tensile strength of the joints can be predicted with 99% confidence level. Contour plots are drawn to study the interaction effect of pulsed current micro plasma arc welding parameters on fusion zone grain size and ultimate tensile strength of Inconel 625 weld joints.

Effects of Pulsed Current and Pulsed Magnetic Field Complex Pretreatment on Martensite Transformation of Cr5Steel during Continuous Cooling

Carbide precipitation and martensite transformation in Cr5 steel have been observed in situ by high-temper- ature confocal laser-scanning microscopy. In this way, the influences of pulsed current and pulsed magnetic field complex pretreatment on carbide precipitation and martensite transformation during continuous cooling have been studied. The results show that the electropulsing complex pretreatment promotes the precipitation of M7 C3-type car- bides at high temperature, increases the start and finish temperatures of martensite transformation, and extends the phase transformation time. Martensite prefers to nucleate in the austenite with less precipitation of carbides due to the chemically homogeneous distribution of solute atoms.

Modeling transient fluid flow and heat transfer phenothena in stationary pulsed current TIG weld pool

A mathematical model is presented to describe transient behavior of heat transfer and fluid flow in stationary pulsed current tungsten inert gas (PC-TIG) weld pool, which considers three kinds of driving, forces for weld pool convection, i,e. buoyancyforce, electromagnetic force and surface tension force. furthermore. the effect of vaporization heat flux at the free surface of weld pool and the temperature coefficient of surface tenston which is a function of temperatuer and composition are considered in the model In order to accelerate the convergence of iteration the AST(additive source term)method which concerns with the thermal energv boundary conditions is extended successfully to deal with the momentum boundary conditions by which the transient momentum equation and energy equation are mutually coupled. At the same time. ADI (Alternating direction implicit) method and DBC (double blocks correction) technque are employed to solve the finite difference equations. The results of numerical simulation demonstrate the transient behavior of PC-TIG weld pool, as well as the periodic variation of fluid flow and heat transfer with the periodic variation of welding current in stationary PC-TIG weld pool. The theoretical predictions based on this model are, shown to be in good accordance with the experimental measurements.

Numerical analysis of transient keyhole shape in pulsed current plasma arc welding

Based on the characteristics of ＂one keyhole in a pulse＂ in pulsed current plasma arc welding （PAW） , the transient variation process of weld pool in a pulse cycle is simulated through the establishment of corresponding heat source model. And considering the effects of gravitational force, plasma arc pressure and surface tension on the weld pool surface, the dynamic change features of the keyhole shape in a pulse cycle are calculated by using surface deformation equation. Experiments are conducted and validate that the calctdated weld fusion line is in good agreement with the experimental results.

Numerical analysis of weld pool geometry in pulsed current plasma arc welding

Numerical analysis of weld pool shape and size is of great significance for selection and optimization of the process parameters in pulsed current plasma arc welding （PAW）. In this paper, a mathematical model and relevant algorithm are developed to determine the temperature profiles and weld pool geometry in pulsed current PAW through employing an adaptive heat source model. The volumetric heat source consists of semi-ellipsoid at upper part and a conic body at lower part along the workpiece thickness direction. The dynamic variation features of weld pool shape during a pulse cycle are numerically simulated. The calculated weld cross-section is consistent with the measure one.

Influence of Heat Input in Pulsed Current GTAW Process on Microstructure and Corrosion Resistance of Duplex Stainless Steel Welds

The high corrosion resistance of duplex stainless steel （DSS） is due to elements such as Cr, Mo and N, hut also depends on the microstructure. The best general properties are obtained with approximately equal amounts of austenite and ferrite and the absence of third phases such as σ（sigma） and Cr2N. In the present work the effect of heat input variations on the microstructure and corrosion resistance of a DSS UNS S32760 in artificial sea water media were studied. The corrosion resistance in 3.5 % of NaCl solution was evaluated by potentiostatic polarization tests at room temperature. It is found that the presence of sigma phase and Cr2N decreases the corrosion potential. The specimen with heat input of approximately 0.95 kJ/mm have the best corrosion characteristics, which is the result for the lack of deleterious phases such as sigma and Cr2 N and balanced ferrite austenite proportion.

ARRAY PULSED EDDY CURRENT IMAGING SYSTEM USED TO DETECT CORROSION

A theory model is established to describe the voltage-current responsefunction. The peak amplitude and the zero-crossing time of the transient signal is extracted as theimaging features, array pulsed eddy current (PEC) imaging is proposed to detect corrosion. The testresults show that this system has the advantage of fast scanning speed, different imaging mode andquantitative detection, it has a broad application in the aviation nondestructive testing.

Analytical solutions of transient pulsed eddy current problem due to elliptical electromagnetic concentrative coils

The electromagnetic concentrative coils are indispensable in the functional magnetic stimulation and have potential applications in nondestructive testing. In this paper, we propose a figure-8-shaped coil being composed of two arbitrary oblique elliptical coils, which can change the electromagnetic concentrative region and the magnitude of eddy current density by changing the elliptical shape and/or spread angle between two elliptical coils. Pulsed current is usually the excitation source in the functional magnetic stimulation, so in this paper we derive the analytical solutions of transient pulsed eddy current field in the time domain due to the elliptical concentrative coil placed in an arbitrary position over a half-infinite plane conductor by making use of the scale-transformation, the Laplace transform and the Fourier transform are used in our derivation. Calculation results of field distributions produced by the figure-8-shaped elliptical coil show some behaviours as follows： 1） the eddy currents are focused on the conductor under the geometric symmetric centre of figure-8-shaped coil; 2） the greater the scale factor of ellipse is, the higher the eddy current density is and the wider the concentrative area of eddy current along y axis is; 3） the maximum magnitude of eddy current density increases with the increase of spread angle. When spread angle is 180°, there are two additional reverse concentrative areas on both sides of x axis.

Compounded Surface Modification of ZK60 Mg Alloy by High Current Pulsed Electron Beam+Micro-plasma Oxidation

In this study, compounded surface modification technology-high current pulsed electron beam （HCPEB） ＋ micro-plasma oxidation （MPO） was applied to treat ZK60 Mg alloys. The characteristics of the microstructure of ZK60 Mg alloy after single MPO and HCPEB＋MPO compounded treatment were investigated by SEM. The results showed that the density of the ceramic layer of HCPEB＋MPO-treated ZK60 Mg alloy was improved and defects were reduced compared to that under MPO treatment alone. Surface modified layer of ZK60 Mg alloys treated by HCPEB＋MPO was divided into three zones, namely the top loose ceramic zone, middle compact zone and inside HCPEB-induced melted zone. Corrosion resistance of ZK60 Mg alloy before and after the compounded surface modification was measured in a solution of 3.5% NaCl by potentiodynamic polarization curves. It was found that the corrosion current density of ZK60 Mg alloys could be reduced by about three orders of magnitude, from 311μA/cm^2 of the original sample to 0.2μA/cm^2 of the HCPEB＋MPO-treated sample. This indicates the great application potential of the HCPEB＋MPO compounded surface modification technology in improving the corrosion resistance of ZK60 Mg alloys in the future.

Research and implementation of 100 A pulsed current source pulse edge compression

In order to increase the usefulness of pulsed current source in engineering practice, research and study was carried out on how to increase the pulse current amplitude, reduce the rise /fall time of output pulse and MOSFET switching losses, etc. Through the analysis of the pulsed current source works theory and the mathematical derivation of the circuit model, the deduction and calculation of the pulse edge compression control methods, and improve the overall circuit structure and optimize the manufacturing process according to the theory. The following indicators was realized： the output pulse current amplitude can be up to 100 A, the shortest pulse rise / fall time was 18.8 ns and 16.1 ns respectively when the maximum amplitude output, the pulse width could be narrowest to 40 ns, repetition frequency could achieve 10 Hz to 10 k Hz, MOSFET switching losses decreased by 30.9 %. This pulsed current source can be used, not only as the power supply for the ordinary high speed narrow pulse width laser diode, but also as an ideal drive power for the high energy, narrow width pulse laser diode.

Research on the Crack Detection of Conductive Components Using Pulsed Eddy Current Thermography

Crack of conductive component is one of the biggest threats to daily production. In order to detect the crack on conductive component,the pulsed eddy current thermography models were built according to different materials with the cracks based on finite element method(FEM) simulation. The influence of the induction heating temperature distribution with the different defect depths were simulated for the carbon fiber reinforced plastic(CFRP) materials and general metal materials. The grey value of image sequence was extracted to analyze its relationship with the depth of crack. Simulative and experimental results show that in the carbon fiber reinforced composite materials,the bigger depth of the crack is,the larger temperature rise of the crack during the heating phase is; and the bigger depth of the crack is,the faster the cooling rate of the crack during the cooling phase is. In general metal materials,the smaller depth of the crack is,the lager temperature rise of the crack during the heating phase is; and the smaller depth of the crack is,the faster the cooling rate of crack during the cooling phase is.

Inverse problem of pulsed eddy current field of ferromagnetic plates

To determine the wall thickness, conductivity and permeability of a ferromagnetic plate, an inverse problem is established with measured values and calculated values of time-domain induced voltage in pulsed eddy current testing on the plate. From time-domain analytical expressions of the partial derivatives of induced voltage with respect to parameters,it is deduced that the partial derivatives are approximately linearly dependent. Then the constraints of these parameters are obtained by solving a partial linear differential equation. It is indicated that only the product of conductivity and wall thickness, and the product of relative permeability and wall thickness can be determined accurately through the inverse problem with time-domain induced voltage. In the practical testing, supposing the conductivity of the ferromagnetic plate under test is a fixed value, and then the relative variation of wall thickness between two testing points can be calculated via the ratio of the corresponding inversion results of the product of conductivity and wall thickness. Finally, this method for wall thickness measurement is verified by the experiment results of a carbon steel plate.

Pulsed electrolysis of carbon dioxide by large-scale solid oxide electrolytic cells for intermittent renewable energy storage

CO_(2) electrolysis with solid oxide electrolytic cells(SOECs)using intermittently available renewable energy has potential applications for carbon neutrality and energy storage.In this study,a pulsed current strategy is used to replicate intermittent energy availability,and the stability and conversion rate of the cyclic operation by a large-scale flat-tube SOEC are studied.One hundred cycles under pulsed current ranging from -100 to -300 mA/cm^(2) with a total operating time of about 800 h were carried out.The results show that after 100 cycles,the cell voltage attenuates by 0.041%/cycle in the high current stage of−300 mA/cm^(2),indicating that the lifetime of the cell can reach up to about 500 cycles.The total CO_(2) conversion rate reached 52%,which is close to the theoretical value of 54.3% at -300 mA/cm^(2),and the calculated efficiency approached 98.2%,assuming heat recycling.This study illustrates the significant advantages of SOEC in efficient electrochemical energy conversion,carbon emission mitigation,and seasonal energy storage.

Evolution of melt convection in a liquid metal driven by a pulsed electric current

Gain refinement in metal alloy can be achieved by applying an electric current pulse(ECP)in solidification process.Forced flow inside the melt has been proved to be a key role in grain refinement.In this paper,the fluid flow inside Ga 20 wt%-In 12 wt%-Sn alloy induced by a damping sinusoidal ECP flowing through two parallel electrodes into the cylindrical melt was investigated by both experimental measurements and numerical simulations.Experimental results showed that a strong descending jet was induced beneath the bottom of electrodes under the application of ECP.Besides,it was found that flow intensity increases with the increase of amplitude,frequency,and pulse width,respectively.In order to unlock the formation mechanism of flow pattern and the relevance of flow intensity varied with electrical parameters,a three-dimensional numerical model under the application of ECP was established.Meanwhile,a comparative study was conducted by numerical simulations to reveal the distributions of electromagnetic fields and forced flow.Numerical results showed that the downward Lorentz force induced by ECP was concentrated beneath the bottom of electrodes.This downward Lorentz force induces a descending jet and provokes a global forced flow.According to numerical simulations,the evolution of flow intensity with electrical parameters under the application of ECP can be understood by the time averaged impulse of Lorentz force.