Publications Details
A calorimetric-based comparison of gas tungsten and plasma arc welding processes
Measurements of arc and melting efficiencies have been made for pulsed and continuous mode Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) and Plasma Arc Welding (PAW) processes. Welds were made on 2.5 mm total thickness pure Ni and 304 Stainless Steel in a standing edge weld geometry at constant nominal machine output settings which varied average current with travel speed. Under continuous current conditions, the measured heat input remained approximately constant for the conditions examined (250-1250 mm/min), while melting efficiency increased dramatically (0-/approximately/0.4). Arc efficiencies were relatively constant, remaining in the range of /approximately/0.75-0.85 for GTAW and somewhat less for PAW. Values of melting efficiency for Ni were slightly less than those for 304 when compared at similar travel speeds, though both tended toward the same limit (/approximately/0.4). The PAW results were not appreciably higher than the GTAW. In addition to melting efficiency the centerline depth of penetration was also measured. In contrast to the GTAW results, which increased with speed at lower travel speeds and then plateaued at 0.8 mm, the PAW results increased monotonically with speed to a maximum of 1.0 mm. In conclusion, calorimetric measurements of nonconsumable arc welding processes have been found helpful in understanding conditions under which efficient arc welds with minimal heat inputs for a desired weld penetration can be made. 10 figs.