Time Dependant Weld Shape in Ar-O_2 Shielded Stationary GTA Welding

The stationary gas tungsten arc welding （GTA） is carried out on SUS304 stainless steel under Ar-0.1%O2 and Ar-0.3%O2 mixed shielding to observe the evolution of the molten pool and investigate the role of Marangoni convection on the weld shape. After welding, the oxygen content in the weld metal was measured by using an oxygen/nitrogen analyzer. Small addition of oxygen to the argon based shielding gas can effectively adjust the weld pool oxygen content. Oxygen plays an important role as an surface active element in determining the pattern of Marangoni convection in the stainless steel weld pool. When the weld metal oxygen content is over the critical value, 0.01 wt pct, corresponding to the Ar-0.3%O2 mixed shielding gas, the Marangoni convection changes from outward to inward direction and the weld shape dramatically changes from wide shallow shape to narrow deep shape.

Effect of laser characteristics on the weld shape and properties of penetration laser weld of BT20 titanium alloy

The laser beam welding of BT20 titanium alloy was conducted to investigate the weld shape, microstructures and properties. The full penetration weld characteristics produced by CO_2 laser and by YAG laser were compared. The results show that the full penetration weld of YAG laser welding closes to “X” shape, and weld of CO_2 laser welding is “nail-head” shape. Those result from special heating mode of laser deep penetration welding. The tension strength of CO_2 laser and YAG laser joints equal to that of the base metal, but the former has better ductility. All welds consist mainly of the acicular α phase and a few β phase in microstructure. The dendritic crystal of CO_2 laser weld is a little finer than YAG laser weld. According the research CO_2 laser is better than YAG laser for welding of BT20 titanium alloy.

Weld shape and microstructure of TC4 laser welding with activating flux of Na_(2)SiF_(6)

Na_(2)SiF_(6) was used as surface activating flux for laser welding of TC4 titanium alloy. The effect of Na_(2)SiF_(6) on TC4 titanium alloy laser welding was determined by observing the weld surface. The morphological characteristics of the high temperature plasma above the workpiece was observed and analyzed by using high-speed digital camera system. The variation of weld depth,width and microstructure were analyzed by optical microscope. The experimental results show that laser weld of TC4 titanium alloy has good appearance with activating flux of Na_(2)SiF_(6), weld penetration increases by about 0.8%–12%, while weld surface width decrease by about 10%–29%, the depth to width ratio is effectively improved. The inhomogeneity of weld microstructure was improved, and the crystallization direction of β columnar crystals on the upper part of the weld was changed, the grain size and microstructure of the weld were refined by Na_(2)SiF_(6).

Effect of Welding Parameters on GTA Weld Shape for Pure Iron Plate under Ar-O_2 Mixed Shielding

Weld shape variation for different welding parameters is investigated on pure iron plate under gas tungsten arc （GTA） welding with argon-oxygen mixed shielding. Results showed that small addition of oxygen to the argon base shielding gas can effectively adjust the oxygen adsorption to the molten pool. An inward Marangoni convection occurs on the pool surface when the oxygen content in the weld pool is over the critical value, 80×10^-6, for pure iron plate under Ar-0.3%O2 mixed shielding. Low oxygen content in the weld pool changes the inward Marangoni to an outward direction under the Ar-0.1%O2 shielding. The GTA weld shape depends to a large extent on the pattern and strength of the Marangoni convection on the pool surface, which is determined by the content of surface active element, oxygen, in the weld pool and the welding parameters. The strength of the Marangoni convection on the liquid pool is a product of the temperature coefficient of the surface tension （dσ/dT） and the temperature gradient （dT/dr） on the pool surface. Different welding parameters will change the temperature distribution and gradient on the pool surface, and therefore, affect the strength of Marangoni convection and the weld shape.

Neural network modeling for weld shape process of P-GMAW

Weld shape control is a fundamental issue in automatic welding. In this paper, a double side visual system is established for pulsed gas metal arc welding （ P-GMAW） , and both topside and backside weld pool images can be captured and stored continuously in real time. By analyzing the weld shape regulation with the molten metal volume, some topside weld pool characterized parameters （WPCPs） are proposed for determining penetration in butt welding of thin mild steel. Moreover, some BP network models are established to predict backside Weld pool width with welding parameters and WPCPs as inputs.

ANN Based Predictive Modelling of Weld Shape and Dimensions in Laser Welding of Galvanized Steel in Butt Joint Configurations

The quality assessment and prediction becomes one of the most critical requirements for improving reliability, efficiency and safety of laser welding. Accurate and efficient model to perform non-destructive quality estimation is an essential part of this assessment. This paper presents a structured and comprehensive approach developed to design an effective artificial neural network based model for weld bead geometry prediction and control in laser welding of galvanized steel in butt joint configurations. The proposed approach examines laser welding parameters and conditions known to have an influence on geometric characteristics of the welds and builds a weld quality prediction model step by step. The modelling procedure begins by examining, through structured experimental investigations and exhaustive 3D modelling and simulation efforts, the direct and the interaction effects of laser welding parameters such as laser power, welding speed, fibre diameter and gap, on the weld bead geometry (i.e. depth of penetration and bead width). Using these results and various statistical tools, various neural network based prediction models are developed and evaluated. The results demonstrate that the proposed approach can effectively lead to a consistent model able to accurately and reliably provide an appropriate prediction of weld bead geometry under variable welding conditions.

Weld Shape Variation and Electrode Oxidation Behavior under Ar-(Ar-CO_2) Double Shielded GTA Welding

Double shielded gas tungsten arc welding （GTAW, also known as tungsten inert gas （TIG） welding） of an SUS304 stainless steel with pure inert argon as the inner layer shielding and the At-CO2 or CO2 active gas as the out layer shielding was proposed in this study to investigate its effect on the tungsten electrode protection and the weld shape variation. The experimental results showed that the inner inert argon gas can successfully prevent the outer layer active gas from contacting and oxidizing the tungsten electrode during the welding process. Active gas, carbon dioxide, in the outer layer shielding is decomposed in the arc and dissolves in the liquid pool, which effectively adjusts the active element, oxygen, content in the weld metal. When the weld metal oxygen content is over 70×10-6, the surface-tension induced Marangoni convection changes from outward into inward, and the weld shape varies from a wide shallow one to a narrow deep one. The effect of the inner layer gas flow rate on the weld bead morphology and the weld shape was investigated systematically. The results show that when the flow rate of the inner argon shielding gas is too low, the weld bead is easily oxidized and the weld shape is wide and shallow. A heavy continuous oxide layer on the liquid pool is a barrier to the liquid pool movement.

Investigation on the Effect of Electron Beam Weld Shape on Fatigue Performance of Thickness Titanium Alloy

Different weld shapes of 45mm thickness TA15 titanium alloy were obtained by choosing appropriate electron beam welding parameters,and the influence of weld shape on fatigue performance of the joints was investigated by analytic hierarchy process.The results show that four typical weld shapes were formed,according to their geometry characters,which are respectively named as bell shape,funnel shape,nail shape,and wedge shape.Weld shape effect the fatigue life and dispersion of the experiment data of the joint.The sequencing of fatigue performance of the joints with four different shapes by analytic hierarchy mathematical model is bell shape,funnel shape,wedge shape,and nail shape.It is validated by trial results that the analytic hierarchy mathematical model is effective and practical.

Microstructures and mechanical properties of laser-welded TiNi shape memory alloy and stainless steel wires

The Nd ： YAG laser welding was used to join the TiNi shape memory alloy and AISI304 stainless steel wires. The microstructural features of the dissimilar material joint were analyzed. The tensile and hardness tests were carried out to examine the mechanical properties and microhardness distribution of the welded joint. The results show that the joint has the non-homogeneous microstructure and element distribution. The brittle phases such as Fe2 Ti , Fe Ti , Cr2 Ti , Ti3 Ni4, Feo 2 Ni4.s Ti5 and TiN mainly segregate in rich Ti region of fusion zone. The laser-welded joint has the tensile strength of 298 MPa with the elongation of 3.72 % and exhibits the brittle fracture features on the fracture surfaces. The reasons for low joint strength were discussed in this investigation.

Influence of pin size on welding shape and mechanical properties of friction stir welded 2014 Al alloy

The influence of pin size on microstructure and mechanical properties of friction stir welded 2014 Al alloy was investigated. Three different size stir pins were used to carry out the welding process. The results show that the size of the pin has a significant effects on the joint structure and mechanical properties. For one given thickness material, excellent weld can be achieved by using a appropriate size friction stir tool. The appearance of the weld is good and no obvious defect is found using this tool. The grain of the weld nugget is very fine and the precipitation distributes equably. The weld structure can change smoothly from the weld nugget to the thermo-mechanic affected zone. The tensile strength is high enough and the synthesis mechanical properties of the weld are very good. When welded by an improper size pin, some defects such as voids and crack often occur in the weld, and which strongly affect the mechanical properties of the weld.

CONTRACTED EFFECT OF BELL-SHADE SHAPE WELDING ARC AND ACCOMPANIED MAGNETIC FIELD WITH SPIRAL PIPE SHAPE

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Prediction of Weld Joint Shape and Dimensions in Laser Welding Using a 3D Modeling and Experimental Validation

This paper presents an experimentally validated weld joint shape and dimensions predictive 3D modeling for low carbon galvanized steel in butt-joint configurations. The proposed modelling approach is based on metallurgical transformations using temperature dependent material properties and the enthalpy method. Conduction and keyhole modes welding are investigated using surface and volumetric heat sources, respectively. Transition between the heat sources is carried out according to the power density and interaction time. Simulations are carried out using 3D finite element model on commercial software. The simulation results of the weld shape and dimensions are validated using a structured experimental investigation based on Taguchi method. Experimental validation conducted on a 3 kW Nd: YAG laser source reveals that the modelling approach can provide not only a consistent and accurate prediction of the weld characteristics under variable welding parameters and conditions but also a comprehensive and quantitative analysis of process parameters effects. The results show great concordance between predicted and measured values for the weld joint shape and dimensions.

Modeling the keyhole shape and dimension in plasma arc welding

It is of great significance to model the keyhole shape and dimensions to optimize the plasma arc welding process parameters. In this study, through employing a combined volumetric heat source mode, the weld pool in keyhole plasma arc welding is determined firstly, and then the dynamic force-balance condition on the interface between the plasma jet and the molten metal is dealt with in describing the keyhole formation inside the weld pool. The effects of welding current on the shape and size of keyhole are numerically analyzed. The sharp transformation from a partial keyhole to a full-penetration keyhole is quantitatively demonstrated.

Study on shape factor of the fusion-solidification zone of electron beam weld

The concept of shape factors of the fusion-solidification zone is proposed to describe the weld cross section geometry. According to these shape factors, the electron beam weld fusion-solidification zone is divided into four typical shapes and the classification criterion for these typical shapes is suggested. An integrated parameter n, combining the line power density of electron beam and material thermal properties is proposed to describe the relative power input, and another integrated parameter n2 combing the accelerating voltage and focusing current is proposed to reflect the power distribution in the keyhole. A series of new expressions, which can reflect the influence of focusing current, accelerating voltage, beam current, and material thermal properties, are developed to predict the fusion-solidification zone shape based on experimental results nonlinear fitting of n1 and n2.

Study on welding power source used in intelligent control system for weld pool shape in pulsed GTAW

This paper analyses the performance request of arc welding power source used in intelligent control of weld pool shape in pulsed GTAW, and develops a sample power source. The main circuit of the power source takes the structure of single ended inverter with two switches, and takes IGBTs as power switches. The working frequency of the inverter is set at 20 kHz. The control circuit takes PWM circuit as center, and uses single chip computer to complete the manage functions such as the control of working sequence, setting and changing of the welding parameters, sensing of the welding states and communication with outside computer etc. The dynamic reacting time of the whole power is 1 ms, the range of the output current is 5～250 A, the precision of the output current reaches to 1 A. The power strikes arc by contacting workpiece under 5 A, and have convenient interface with system computer. All above shows this power source is one with high performance.

Effect of activating flux on arc shape and arc voltage in tungsten inert gas welding

The effects of activating fluxes on welding arc were investigated. A special set of water-cooling system and stainless steel were used as parent material. During welding process, high-speed camera system and oscillograph were used for capturing instantaneous arc shape and arc voltage respectively. The experimental results indicate that the SiO2 flux can increase the arc voltage, while TiO2 has no this effect on arc voltage. Compared with conventional tungsten inert gas welding (C-TIG), it is found that the arc shape of A-TIG welding used with the SiO2 flux has changed obviously.

Electrochemical behavior of YAG laser-welded NiTi shape memory alloy

Electrochemical behaviors of laser-welded Ti-50.6%Ni(mole fraction) shape memory alloy and the base metal in 0.9% NaCl solution were investigated by electrochemical techniques as corrosion potential measurement, linear and potentiodynamic polarization. The results indicate that the laser-welded NiTi alloy is less susceptible to pitting and crevice corrosion than the base metal, which is demonstrated by the increase in polarization resistance(Rp) and pitting potential(φpit) and decrease in corrosion current density(Jcorr) and mean difference between φpit and φprot values. It is confirmed by scanning electron microscope micrographs that pits could be observed on the surface of base metal but not on the surface of laser-welded alloy after potentiodynamic tests. An improvement of corrosion resistance of laser-welded NiTi alloy could be attributed to almost complete dissolution of inclusions upon laser welding.

Analysis on the joint tensile strength and fractography of TiNi shape memory alloy precise pulse resistance butt welding

This paper studies mechanical property and fractography of the welded joints obtained in different welding parameters such as welding heat and welding press with/without gas shield in TiNi shape memory alloy precise pulse resistance butt welding using tensile strength test, XRD, SEM and TEM measures. The optimum welding parameters obtaining high tensile strength welded joint are got. On the condition of welding press magneting current 2 A and welding heat 75%, the joint strength is the highest. This is important for to study other properties of TiNi shape memory alloy further. The experimental results state that argon gas shield have different effects on different welding parameters, less on welding press, but great on welding heat. But excessive welding press and welding heat have great effects on joint tensile strength. Too high welding heat can produce the new intermetallic compound, this intermetallic compound lead to dislocation density to increase and form the potential crack initiation, which can easily make the joint fracture under stress effect and decrease the shape memory ratio of joint for high density dislocation groups existing in the twinned martensite.

Microstructures and properties of welded joint of TiNi shape memory alloy and stainless steel

The fracture characteristics of the joint were analyzed by means of scanning electron microscope. Microstructures of the joint were examined by means of optical microscope, SEM and an image analyzer. The results show that the tensile strength of the inhomogeneous joint of TiNi shape memory alloy and stainless steel is lower than that of the homogeneous joint and a plastic field appears in the heat affected zone on the side of TiNi shape memory alloy. Because TiNi shape memory alloy and stainless steel melted, a brittle as-cast structure was formed in the weld. The tensile strength and the shape memory effect of the inhomogeneous joint are strongly influenced by the changes of composition and structure of the joint. Measures should be taken to reduce the base metal melting and prevent the weld metal from the invasion by O for improving the properties of the TiNi shape memory alloy and stainless steel inhomogeneous joint.

RECONSTRUCTION OF WELD POOL SURFACE BASED ON SHAPE FROM SHADING

A valid image-processing algorithm of weld pool surface reconstruction according to an input image of weld pool based on shape from shading （SFS） in computer vision is presented. The weld pool surface information is related to the backside weld width, which is crucial to the quality of weld joint. The image of weld pool is recorded with an optical sensing method. Firstly, the reflectance map model, which specifies the imaging process, is estimated. Then, the algorithm of weld pool surface reconstruction based on SFS is implemented by iteration scheme and speeded by hierarchical structure. The results indicate the accuracy and effectiveness of the approach.