Calculations have been made for weld depths occurring for TIG welding activated by a flux over the surface of the weld pool. In this case, the flux introduces an electrically insulating layer over the outer regions of the weld pool surface. There is then an increase in the current density at the surface of the centre of the weld pool with a consequent increase in the J×B forces, which drive a strong convective flow of the molten metal downwards, tending to make a deep weld. For a flux which produces an insulating layer for all but a central region of radius 2 mm, the calculated weld depth is 7 mm, and an arc spot is predicted at the centre of the weld pool surface. As yet we have not resolved the reason for significant differences that exist between our measurements of weld depth and the theoretical predictions.
