Influence of current on the gross fusion efficiency in MIG/MAG welding

Abstract

The objective of the present paper was to study the influence of the welding current on the gross fusion efficiency in MIG/MAG welding, taking into account the plate dimensions. A series of weldments were carried out over three thickness plates in a current range utilising the MIG/MAG CMT process, aided by a robotic unity. The choice of the process aimed to minimise the arc mechanical effect on the gross fusion efficiency, a fact experimentally checked in the work. It was verified that an increase of current and/or reduction in the thickness–width combination leads to higher gross fusion efficiency. However, the intensity of the current effect depends on the thickness–width combination.

Keywords:

• Welding
• gross fusion efficiency
• CMT (cold metal transfer)

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the UFPR, for the laboratory facilities, and the CNPq, both for the research grants to the authors, and for the financial support through project No. 478093/2012-8.

Notes

Selected from Soldagem & Inspeção 2014 19(2) 159–167.