Abstract
In the present work the results of a theoretical analysis of the interfacial stability of a gas jet impinging on a free liquid surface are used to study the stability of weld pools. Use of experimental observations on the plasma flow inside high-current arcs allows a critical arc current, for which the weld pool becomes unstable, to be calculated. This critical current depends upon the surface tension between molten metal and arc gas, the geometry of the cathode, and the difference in density between molten metal and arc gas. Observations on tungsten-inert-gas welding support the theory.
Export citation and abstract BibTeX RIS