Development in plasma arc welding process: A review

Abstract

Plasma arc welding process has found wide application for joining of metals in manufacturing industries in the recent times. It has become the preferable welding process over other arc welding processes since it possesses increased welding speed, produces better weld quality, and has less impact of process variability on the process performance. A lot of advancement has taken place to enhance the stability of the plasma arc welding process, increase the depth of penetration and weld quality in recent years. The process is more preferred for welding of similar materials owing to the formation of stable, controlled, and constricted arc with low current requirements. It gives longer electrode life for high production. Variable polarity plasma arc welding (VPPAW) process, Pulsed plasma gas welding (PPGW), Double pulsed plasma arc welding (DPPAW) processes are widely used for joining the mid-thick steels (9.5 mm–12.5 mm). Pulsed plasma gas welding process helps to improve the process stability and the weld quality than other VPPAW process. Apart from these process Laser assisted Plasma arc welding, PAW-MIG hybrid welding, plasma spot welding, soft plasma arc welding process are some of the advancements to the PAW processes which are used for special industrial application. The present review paper focuses on the evolution and the development of the plasma arc welding process, its types, and the suitability of the process towards various applications in the manufacturing industries.