Parametric adaptability of TIG arc-induced non-contact MIG arc ignition
TANG Yingying, ZHU Zhiming, YANG Zhongyu, FU Pingpo
Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials Processing Technology of Ministry of Education, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
Abstract：A series of arc ignition experiments using tungsten inert gas-metal inert gas (TIG-MIG) hybrid welding was conducted for various MIG welding parameters with simultaneous measurements of the arc voltage, the welding current and images of the TIG-MIG hybrid welding arc. These experiments studied the characteristics of the TIG arc-induced non-contact MIG arc ignition and its adaptability to the various MIG welding parameters. The results show that the initial TIG arc not only quickly enables the MIG welding to achieve non-contact arc ignition but also enables the MIG welding to enter a stable droplet-free transfer mode with a relatively low arc voltage and welding current. The weld appearance is more uniform than the conventional MIG welding with no spatter. The initial wire feed speed, welding torch inclination angle, shield gas flow rate and welding wire end diameter for the MIG welding could be varied over relatively wide ranges with non-contact arc ignition of the MIG welding when ignited by the TIG arc. If the initial wire feed speed is properly matched to the welding wire end diameter, no spatter is produced during the non-contact MIG arc ignition process even with large residual droplet on the end of the welding wire.
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2018, Vol. 58 
