Study on arc characteristics and behavior of metal transfer in pulse current flux-cored arc welding of mild steel

The variation in arc characteristics and behavior of metal transfer with the change in pulse parameters has been studied by high speed video camera during pulse current flux-cored arc weld deposition.A comparative study of similar nature has also been carried out during flux-cored arc weld deposition in globular and spray transfer modes.The effect of pulse parameters has been studied by considering their mean current and arc voltage.The arc characteristics studied by its root diameter,projected diameter and length,and the behavior of metal transfer noted by the metal transfer model and the droplet diameter have been found to vary significantly with the pulse parameters.The observation may help in understanding the arc characteristics with respect to the variation in pulse parameters which may be beneficial in using pulse current FCAW to produce desired weld quality.

Digital control of pulsed gas metal arc welding inverter using TMS320LF2407A

A digital control of pulsed gas metal arc welding inverter was proposed. A control system consisting of analogue parts was replaced with a new digital control implemented in a TMS320LF2407A DSP chip. The design and constructional features of the whole digital control were presented. The resources of the DSP chip were efficiently utilized and the circuits are very concise, which can enhance the stability and reliability of welding inverter. Experimental results demonstrate that the developed digital control has the ability to accomplish the excellent pulsed gas metal arc welding process and the merits of the developed digital control are stable welding process, little spatter and perfect weld appearance.

Arc Characteristic and Metal Transfer of Pulse Current Horizontal Flux-Cored Arc Welding

In this work, we utilized high-speed video photography to investigate the arc characteristics, metal transfer behavior, and welding spatter of the pulse-current flux-cored arc welding (P-FCAW) process in the horizontal position. The results indicate the presence of a stable “flux pole” during both the pulse-on and pulse-off periods when the mean current ranged from 140 to 170 A. The existence of this “flux pole” was beneficial for droplet transfer in the “axial droplet transfer” mode. With respect to welding spatter, with an increase in the welding current, we observed three kinds of spatter—explosive spatter, rebounded droplet spatter, and scattering spatter. With an increase in the pulse current from 310.6 to 345.6 A, the deflection of the arc reduced from 30.4° to 16.6°, which positively influenced the arc rigidity, particularly in the horizontal position. © 2017, Tianjin University and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Interfacial reaction control during pulsed argon arc welding of SiC_p/Al composites

The interfacial reaction control of SiC_p/2124Al composites was investigated during pulsed argon arc welding. Meanwhile, the mechanical properties, the metallographic structure and interfacial microstructure of the induced welding joint were tested and detected, respectively. The results reveal that the joint with excellent properties could be achieved by the proper selection of the special filling material and the addition of the pulse during welding. Moreover, the formation mechanism of the welding joint was discussed and the corresponding measures on further improving the quality of the welding joint of SiC_p/2124Al composites were put forward in the condition of pulsed argon arc welding.

Shielded metal arc welding of cemented carbide to carbon steel

Electrode ENiFe-C1 and E4303 were selected to join the cemented carbide WC-20Co and carbon steel 45 by shielded metal arc welding process. Microstructure and bending property of the corresponding joints were analyzed. The results showed that the carbon steel electrode E4303 had no proper metallurgy condition for the arc welding of cemented carbide and carbon steel. The C and Ni content of the cast iron electrode ENiFe-C1 could meet the condition of preventing the formation ofη carbide,which was suit to the arc welding of cemented carbide and carbon steel,but the operation parameters needed to be optimized to minimize the slag inclusion. The alloy WC-20Co which did not fit for cold arc welding,by adopting the measure of being preheated at 723 K for 1 h before welding,and being kept at 723 K for 3 h after welding then followed furnace cooling could avoid the happening of crack in the WC-20Co base metal.

Tensile and Impact Properties of Shielded Metal Arc Welded AISI 409M Ferritic Stainless Steel Joints

The present study is concerned with the effect of filler metals such as austenitic stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel and duplex stainless steel on tensile and impact properties of the ferritic stainless steel conforming to AISI 409M grade. Rolled plates of 4 mm thickness were used as the base material for preparing single pass butt welded joints. Tensile and impact properties, microhardness, microstructure and fracture surface morphology of the joints fabricated by austenitic stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel and duplex stainless steel filler metals were evaluated and the results were reported. From this investigation, it is found that the joints fabricated by duplex stainless steel filler metal showed higher tensile strength and hardness compared to the joints fabricated by austenitic and ferritic stainless steel filler metals. Joints fabricated by austenitic stainless steel filler metal exhibited higher ductility and impact toughness compared with the joints fabricated by ferritic stainless steel and duplex stainless steel filler metals.

Microstructure and pitting corrosion of shielded metal arc welded high nitrogen stainless steel

The present work is aimed at studying the microstructure and pitting corrosion behaviour of shielded metal arc welded high nitrogen steel made of Cromang-N electrode. Basis for selecting this electrode is to increase the solubility of nitrogen in weld metal due to high chromium and manganese content. Microscopic studies were carried out using optical microscopy(OM) and field emission scanning electron microscopy(FESEM). Energy back scattered diffraction(EBSD) method was used to determine the phase analysis, grain size and orientation image mapping. Potentio-dynamic polarization testing was carried out to study the pitting corrosion resistance in aerated 3.5% NaCl environment using a GillAC electrochemical system. The investigation results showed that the selected Cr-Mn-N type electrode resulted in a maximum reduction in delta-ferrite and improvement in pitting corrosion resistance of the weld zone was attributed to the coarse austenite grains owing to the reduction in active sites of the austenite/delta ferrite interface and the decrease in galvanic interaction between austenite and delta-ferrite.

Arc and Droplet Behaviors in Horizontal Short-Arc Pulsed Gas Metal Arc Welding of 9%Ni Steel with ERNiCrMo-3 Welding Wire

Short-arc pulsed gas metal arc welding(P-GMAW)was used to solve the dificulties of molten pool spreading and droplet transfer of Ni-based welding wire.Suppression of short-circuit current was used to reduce spatter.Arc length stabilizer was used to acquire a proper and stable arc length maintained at the critical position where short circuit starts to occur.Short-arc P-GMAW with or without arc length stabilizer was compared.The droplet transfer,arc behaviors and weld bead profiles were investigated and compared based on the high-speed photography and observation of weld cross-section.When the arc length stabilizer was deactivated,the arc length was unstable and too short.The droplet transfer mode was mainly short circuit partial transfer,with only a small part of the droplet transferred into the molten pool,with the characteristics of no obvious necking,a few spatters,small droplet impact,long short circuit duration and high short-circuit current.There was also a small proportion of short circuit complete transfer with obvious necking,larger droplet impact,shorter short-circuit duration and lower short-circuit current.With arc length stabilizer,droplet transfer modes were short circuit complete transfer and spray transfer.The spray transfer had the largest droplet impact,no short circuit and no spatter.With the arc length stabilizer activated,a deep penetration,a high penetration ratio,a small reinforcement and a large reinforcement factor were acquired.This provides an innovative method to solve the difficulties of droplet transfer and molten pool spreading and eliminate the incomplete fusion in the GMAW of 9%Ni steel with nickel-based alloy welding wire.

Modeling, Simulation and Control of Pulsed DE-GMA Welding Process for Joining of Aluminum to Steel

Joining of aluminum to steel has attracted significant attention from the welding research community,automotive and rail transportation industries.Many current welding methods have been developed and applied,however,they can not precisely control the heat input to work-piece,they are high costs,low efficiency and consist lots of complex welding devices,and the generated intermetallic compound layer in weld bead interface is thicker.A novel pulsed double electrode gas metal arc welding（Pulsed DE-GMAW）method is developed.To achieve a stable welding process for joining of aluminum to steel,a mathematical model of coupled arc is established,and a new control scheme that uses the average feedback arc voltage of main loop to adjust the wire feed speed to control coupled arc length is proposed and developed.Then,the impulse control simulation of coupled arc length,wire feed speed and wire extension is conducted to demonstrate the mathematical model and predict the stability of welding process by changing the distance of contact tip to work-piece（CTWD）.To prove the proposed PSO based PID control scheme’s feasibility,the rapid prototyping experimental system is setup and the bead-on-plate control experiments are conducted to join aluminum to steel.The impulse control simulation shows that the established model can accurately represent the variation of coupled arc length,wire feed speed and the average main arc voltage when the welding process is disturbed,and the developed controller has a faster response and adjustment,only runs about 0.1 s.The captured electric signals show the main arc voltage gradually closes to the supposed arc voltage by adjusting the wire feed speed in 0.8 s.The obtained typical current waveform demonstrates that the main current can be reduced by controlling the bypass current under maintaining a relative large total current.The control experiment proves the accuracy of proposed model and feasibility of new control scheme further.The beautiful and smooth weld beads are also obtained by this method.Pulsed DE-GMAW can thus be considered as an alternative method for low cost,high efficiency joining of aluminum to steel.

Digital pulsed MIG welding machine based on adaptive fuzzy controller

Digital pulsed metal inert gas welding machine with double closed-loop control mode is designed and implemented. It realizes precision control for real time energy and demonstrates the flexibility of digital control. Test results of design prototype show that the designed control strategy can effectively adapt to the change of arc length and achieve ideal droplet transfer via one drop per pulse mode. Thus the welding process is stable and the weld bead is good.

Optimization of back bead geometry in the PMAG-TIG twin arc hybrid root welding process using grey based Taguchi method

This study investigated multi-response optimization of the pulse metal active gas-tungsten inert gas( PMAG-TIG) twin arc hybrid root welding process for an optimal parametric combination to yield favorable back bead geometry of welded joints using grey relational analysis and Taguchi method.Eighteen experimental runs based on an orthogonal array following the Taguchi method were performed to derive objective functions to be optimized within the experimental domain.The objective functions were selected in relation to parameters of PMAG-TIG twin arc root welding back bead geometry: back bead width to root reinforcement ratio and deposited metal height.The Taguchi approach was followed by grey relational analysis to solve the multi-response optimization problem.The significance of factors on overall quality characteristics of the weld joint was also evaluated quantitatively using analysis of variance.Optimal results were verified through additional experiments,and showed to feasibility of applying grey relation analysis in combination with Taguchi technique for continuous improvement of product quality in the manufacturing industry.

Effect of pulse M-Arc frequency on Tri-Arc DE droplet transfer and weld forming

In view of the unstable welding process of Tri-Arc DE,surfacing test with Q235 steel plate was completed with the help of the self-built high-speed camera and waveform synchronous acquisition system using the Tri-Arc DE technology. The effects of pulsed M-Arc frequency on Tri-Arc DE droplet transfer and weld formation were analyzed. The results show that while the gradual increase of pulse frequency,the droplet transfer frequency gradually decreases,which is followed by several drops per pulse,one drop per pulse,and one drop within several pulses. The most ideal transfer form is one drop per pulse,of which the welding process is the most stable,and the quality of weld formation is the most satisfied.

基于电弧声信号的窄间隙脉冲熔化极气体保护焊侧壁熔合状态在线识别

为在焊接过程中实时了解焊缝内部的焊接状况,构建了电弧声信号实时采集系统。在焊枪摆动中心处于不同位置的情况下,进行了电弧声信号特征与侧壁熔合状态的相关性分析。分别从时域与频域中提取了与侧壁熔合状态相关性较强的电弧声特征。为进一步提高熔合状态预测的有效性,采用电弧声特征参量构建了支持向量回归的侧壁熔合状态识别模型。为减小不良特征对识别模型的影响,显著提高模型的识别精度,采用遗传算法进行了参数寻优。参数寻优后模型的总体识别率达93.33%,实现了窄间隙侧壁熔合状态的有效识别。

铂镓合金板材焊接接头组织与力学性能研究

探索及分析铂镓合金板材的焊接工艺,旨在为铂镓合金催化网的焊接提供理论基础。试验制备了Pt-2Ga、Pt-3Ga-2Ru与Pt-5Ga的1 mm厚度板材,采用氩弧焊与不同功率的激光焊对合金进行焊接,对其焊接后的拉伸性能、断口形貌、热影响区宽度、焊接区域的微观组织以及焊接区域元素成分的偏析程度等进行研究。结果表明,Pt-5Ga合金脆性较大无法满足催化网制备条件,Pt-3Ga-2Ru合金的焊接性能优于Pt-2Ga合金,同时晶粒尺寸有大幅减小的趋势。激光焊焊接件的焊接性能优于氩弧焊焊接件,热影响区的宽度更窄,元素的偏析程度也有所减小。将不同功率下的激光焊接试样进行对比后发现:焊接功率设定在350 W时对Pt-3Ga-2Ru合金的拉伸性能最好。

脉冲频数对pulsed DE-GMAW焊缝成形的分析

针对脉冲旁路耦合电弧焊(pulsed DE-GMAW)焊接过程中熔滴过渡和焊缝成形控制难题,基于高速摄像等在内的硬件系统和x PC的快速原型软件系统构成的试验系统,对不同的脉冲数量对熔滴过渡和焊缝成形的影响进行了分析.结果表明,在主路电流不变的情况下,随着双脉冲旁路电流的峰值脉冲数增加,自由过渡的次数增加;随着双脉冲旁路电流的基值脉冲数增加,短路过渡的次数增加.但较多的短路过渡次数会导致焊接过程不稳定,产生较大飞溅.在此基础上,确立了双脉冲旁路电流的双脉冲峰值脉冲数与基值脉冲数匹配来控制熔滴过渡方式,因此获得较好的焊缝成形.

焊丝成分对5454-H32铝合金焊缝组织与性能的影响

以使用脉冲弧熔化极气体保护焊焊接的3.2 mm厚5454-H32铝合金对接接头为研究对象,使用光学显微镜、SEM、EDS和显微硬度计,分析2种接头的显微组织、析出相形态、分布和成分及显微硬度,测试接头的力学性能。分析结果表明,使用ER5356焊丝焊接的接头各项性能均优于使用ER4043焊丝焊接的接头性能。

Welding of nickel free high nitrogen stainless steel: Microstructure and mechanical properties

High nitrogen stainless steel(HNS) is a nickel free austenitic stainless steel that is used as a structural component in defence applications for manufacturing battle tanks as a replacement of the existing armour grade steel owing to its low cost, excellent mechanical properties and better corrosion resistance.Conventional fusion welding causes problems like nitrogen desorption, solidification cracking in weld zone, liquation cracking in heat affected zone, nitrogen induced porosity and poor mechanical properties.The above problems can be overcome by proper selection and procedure of joining process. In the present work, an attempt has been made to correlate the microstructural changes with mechanical properties of fusion and solid state welds of high nitrogen steel. Shielded metal arc welding(SMAW), gas tungsten arc welding(GTAW), electron beam welding(EBW) and friction stir welding(FSW) processes were used in the present work. Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and electron backscatter diffraction were used to characterize microstructural changes. Hardness, tensile and bend tests were performed to evaluate the mechanical properties of welds. The results of the present investigation established that fully austenitic dendritic structure was found in welds of SMAW. Reverted austenite pools in the martensite matrix in weld zone and unmixed zones near the fusion boundary were observed in GTA welds. Discontinuous ferrite network in austenite matrix was observed in electron beam welds.Fine recrystallized austenite grain structure was observed in the nugget zone of friction stir welds.Improved mechanical properties are obtained in friction stir welds when compared to fusion welds. This is attributed to the refined microstructure consisting of equiaxed and homogenous austenite grains.

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.

Effect of welding processes on mechanical and microstructural characteristics of high strength low alloy naval grade steel joints

Naval grade high strength low alloy(HSLA) steels can be easily welded by all types of fusion welding processes. However, fusion welding of these steels leads to the problems such as cold cracking, residual stress, distortion and fatigue damage. These problems can be eliminated by solid state welding process such as friction stir welding(FSW). In this investigation, a comparative evaluation of mechanical(tensile, impact,hardness) properties and microstructural features of shielded metal arc(SMA), gas metal arc(GMA) and friction stir welded(FSW) naval grade HSLA steel joints was carried out. It was found that the use of FSW process eliminated the problems related to fusion welding processes and also resulted in the superior mechanical properties compared to GMA and SMA welded joints.

Metallurgical characteristics of armour steel welded joints used for combat vehicle construction

Austenitic stainless steel(ASS) and High nickel steel(HNS) welding consumables are being used for welding Q&T steels, as they have higher solubility for hydrogen in austenitic phase, to avoid hydrogen induced cracking(HIC) but they are very expensive. In recent years, the developments of low hydrogen ferritic steel(LHF) consumables that contain no hygroscopic compounds are utilized for welding Q&T steels. Heat affected zone(HAZ) softening is another critical issue during welding of armour grade Q&T steels and it depends on the welding process employed and the weld thermal cycle. In this investigation an attempt has been made to study the influence of welding consumables and welding processes on metallurgical characteristics of armour grade Q&T steel joints by various metallurgical characterization procedures. Shielded metal arc welding(SMAW) and flux cored arc welding(FCAW) processes were used for making welds using ASS, LHF and HNS welding consumables. The joints fabricated by using LHF consumables offered lower degree of HAZ softening and there is no evidence of HIC in the joints fabricated using LHF consumables.