Modelling and analysis of metal transfer in gas metal arc welding

A numerical model combining the methods of enthalpy, effective-viscosity and volume-of-fluid is developed to simulate the metal transfer process in gas metal arc welding. The model describes not only the influence on droplet profile and transfer frequency of electromagnetic force, surface tension, and gravity, but it can also model the nonisothermal phenomena such as heat transfer and phase change. The model has been used to study the shape of the melting interface on the welding wire, the droplet oscillation at wire tip, the characteristics of relevant physical variables and their roles in metal transfer. We find that the taper formation in spray transfer is closely related to the heat input on the unmelted portion of the welding wire, and the taper formation affects the globular-spray transition by decelerating the transfer process. The formation of satellite drops during the metal transfer process is also considered. High-speed photography, laser-shadow imaging, and metallographic analysis validate the numerical model, and recommendations are made on the topics that require further consideration for a more accurate metal transfer model.