Exp 7
Exp 7
Exp 7
Experiment Number : 07
Experiment Name : Study of Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) and Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)
Submitted By:
40
Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW):
• Arc Welding Power source
• Shielding Gas Cylinder
• Gas Regulator
• Shielding Gas Flowmeter
• GMAW Welding Gun
• Mild Steel Electrode
• Wire Feeder
• Mild Steel Sheet (Workpiece)
• Welding Shield
Experimental Methodology
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW):
• At first, two pieces of Stainless Sheet (SS) were taken and cleaned properly.
• The sheets were placed properly, and dimensions were measured carefully.
• The hose connected the welding torch with the power supply.
• Straight polarity was used to complete the power supply connections.
• Finally, arc was initiated.
• Filler rod was used lastly to do the welding in a single pass.
As we can see from Figure 1, the specimen welded with GTAW has a very clean and narrow welding pool.
This type of characterization is due to non-spattering and single-pass welding [2]. The weld beads are
41
produced autogenously at very high speeds. Some defects might be present in this welding, like cracks,
porosity, lack of fusion, undercut, whiskers, etc, which are not visible macroscopically. [4] The main
reasons behind these defects are poor gas coverage, too much amperage, improper arc length, dirty filler
metal, craters, etc. [5]. Figure 2 represents a specimen welded with MIG. Here, we can see the weld pool
is wider and deeper, which means the deposition rate in this welding is higher than TIG. The welding is
done in multiple passes. However, the weld beads are not as clean as TIG. There might also be some
defects like burn-through, porosity, lack of fusion, craters, and cracks, etc. [6] These defects can be
prevented by preparing the joints sufficiently wide, proper gun angle, clean joint faces, amperage control,
increasing heat input, shorter arc, and less voltage. [7]
Conclusion
In this experiment, we studied the working principles of GTAW and GMAW. Two stainless steel plates
were joined by TIG (GTAW) welding. On the other hand, two mild steel plates were joined by MIG (GMAW)
welding. Both weldings used argon as shielding gas. Some defects were present in both welds, possibly
due to improper amperage, arc length, human errors, etc.
References
42
Answer to the Questions
(a)
• An arc is struck between the end of a wire electrode and the workpiece.
• Both the electrode and workpiece melt and form a weld pool.
• The wire is used for both heat source and filler metal for the joint.
• Wire is fed through a copper contact tube which conducts welding current into the wire.
• Electrode is fed continuously in this welding process.
• Shielding gas is used to protect the weld pool from the surrounding atmosphere.
• The process usually operates with the wire positively charged and connected to a power source
delivering a constant voltage.
• Welding was completed in three multiple passes.
(b)
The effects of polarity on GTAW and GMAW are given below: [1]
DCEN Polarity: When the polarity is DCEN, the electrode polarity remains negative. As a result, electrons
emit from the electrode and go to the workpiece. Oxide cleaning is impossible in this polarity.70% of the
heat goes to the work piece and 30% to the electrode end. Penetration is deep and narrow. The
electrode capacity is excellent for this type of polarity.
43
Figure 3: Effect of DCEN Polarity
DCEP Polarity: For DCEP polarity, the electrode end is positive, and the workpiece is negative. As a result,
electrons emit from the workpiece and go to the electrode end. Surface cleaning is possible here due to
oxide cleaning action.30% of the heat goes to the work and other 70% goes to the electrode end.
Penetration is shallow and wide. Electrode capacity is poor.
AC Polarity: Polarity of the electrode and work piece alternates every half cycle.
Oxide cleaning is possible in every half cycle when the electrode polarity is positive.50% heat goes to the
work piece and other 50% goes to the electrode end. Penetration is medium and electrode capacity is
good in this polarity.
44