Abstract
Finite element modelling of the experimentally obtained parametric envelopes for stable keyhole plasma arc welding was performed using a three-dimensional conical Gaussian heat source. Uncoupled steady-state and transient heat transfer analyses were performed to predict fusion zones and thermal histories. The heat source definition was validated against the experimentally obtained macrograph and thermal history for a representative stable keyhole condition. The paper investigates the relationships between the primary welding parameters, i.e. current, traverse speed, plasma gas flow rate and the weld efficiency, using inverse finite element modelling. The effect of the change of plasma gas flow rate on weld efficiency was estimated by iteratively changing the efficiency to match the experimental results. The numerical–experimental approach is proposed to establish relationships between welding parameters and weld efficiency which can be utilised to understand the underlying physics of keyhole plasma arc welding. The inversely identified relationships between key welding parameters can be useful in selecting the appropriate combination of weld parameters for stable keyhole welding.
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