Metal transfer modes of twin-wire indirect arc welding

Abstract

Metal transfer modes of twin-wire indirect arc welding are studied and the effects of welding parameters on transfer modes are investigated in this paper. The progress of transition is captured by a high speed camera system with a xenon lamp as light source in order to remove the intense arc light. An oscilloscope is used to record the values of the parameters. Results show that anode and cathode have different transfer modes under certain conditions because of different melting rates. All the transfer modes are classified as short-circuiting transfer and free-flight transfer. The latter could be subdivided into globular transfer, projected transfer, streaming transfer, etc. The metal transfer modes of TWIAW are influenced by the welding current, arc voltage and shielding gas. With an increase in welding current and arc voltage, the transition frequency increases and droplets become smaller. Images indicate that the metal transfer modes influence arc shape periodically because of the detaching force and retainable force changing periodically.

Keywords

indirect arc / twin-wire welding / metal transfer