Electromagnetic Characteristic of Twin-wire Indirect Arc Welding

Traditional welding methods are limited in low heat input to workpiece and high welding wire melting rate. Twin-wire indirect arc（TWIA） welding is a new welding method characterized by high melting rate and low heat input. This method uses two wires one connected to the negative electrode and another to the positive electrode of a direct-current（DC） power source. The workpiece is an independent, non-connected unit. A three dimensional finite element model of TWIA is devised. Electric and magnetic fields are calculated and their influence upon TWIA behavior and the welding process is discussed. The results show that with a 100 A welding current, the maximum temperature reached is 17 758 K, arc voltage is 14.646 V while maximum current density was 61 A/mm2 with a maximum Lorene force of 84.5 ~tN. The above mentioned arc parameters near the cathode and anode regions are far higher than those in the arc column region. The Lorene force is the key reason for plasma velocity direction deviated and charged particles flowed in the channel formed by the cathode, anode and upper part of arc column regions. This led to most of the energy being supplied to the polar and upper part of arc column regions. The interaction between electric and magnetic fields is a major determinant in shaping TWIA as well as heat input on the workpiece. This is a first study of electromagnetic characteristics and their influences in the TWIA welding process, and it is significant in both a theoretical and practical sense.

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 MlG 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 are. 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.

Effect of electromagnetic interaction on microstructure and corrosion resistance of 7075 aluminium alloy during modified indirect electric arc welding process

The effects of applying an electromagnetic interaction of low intensity (EMILI) on the microstructure and corrosion resistance of 7075-T651 Al alloy plates (13 mm in thickness) during modified indirect electric arc (MIEA) welding were investigated. The welding process was conducted in a single pass with a heat input of ~1.5 kJ/mm. The microstructural observations of the welds were correlated with the effect of EMILI on the local mechanical properties and the corrosion resistance in natural seawater by means of microhardness measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, respectively. Microstructural characterization of the welds revealed a grain refinement in the weld metal due to the electromagnetic stirring induced by EMILI of 3 mT during welding. In addition, observations in the scanning electron microscope showed that the precipitation of Cu-rich phases and segregation of eutectics were reduced in the heat affected zone (HAZ) also as an effect of EMILI. The high corrosion dissolution of the 7075-T651 welds in natural seawater and the extent of overaging in the HAZ were reduced when welding with EMILI of 3 mT. Thus, EMILI along with the MIEA technique may lead to welded joints with better microstructural characteristics, improved mechanical properties in the HAZ and reduced electrochemical activity.