Arc characteristics and weld formation of aluminum alloy by AC/DC mixed GTAW. Issue 4 (12th March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Huijing; Liu, Weihang; Fan, Chenglei; Chen, Chao
• Is Part Of: Materials and manufacturing processes. Volume 38:Issue 4(2023)
• Page Start: 427
• Page End: 433
• Publication Date: 2023-03-12
• Subjects: AC/DC -- mixed -- GTAW -- arc -- characteristics -- weld -- formation -- aluminum -- alloy; Manufacturing processes -- Periodicals; Materials -- Periodicals; Manufactured Materials; 670.5
• DOI: 10.1080/10426914.2022.2089894
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1042-6914

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The purpose of the method of AC/DC mixed gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) is to improve the welding efficiency of aluminum alloy AC-GTAW. It is expected to make a great change in the aluminum alloy manufacturing industries. The feature of AC/DC mixed GTAW includes two parts, AC mode and DC mode, during the welding process. A comparison study between the AC/DC mixed GTAW and AC-GTAW is carried out by analyzing the arc characteristics and weld formation. The results showed that the uniformly distributed AC and DC signals were obtained in the AC/DC mixed GTAW. The front width and back reinforcement of the weld bead in the AC GTAW and the AC/DC mixed GTAW increased first and then decreased with increasing frequency. The geometrical parameters of the weld cross-section in the AC/DC mixed GTAW was increased, when the same frequency was used. For example, the frequency of 30 Hz was employed, the front width of the weld bead in the AC/DC mixed GTAW was increased to 0.3 mm compared with that of the AC-GTAW. The AC/DC mixed GTAW has a greater effective heat input compared with the AC GTAW due to introduction of the DC mode.