Models to describe Plasma Jet, Arc Trajectory and arc blow formation in arc welding

Abstract

Several researchers have devoted efforts on studying physics of arc and descriptive models are used to explain many arc welding related phenomena. However, due to the subject complexity, doubts still emerge about the mechanisms of some phenomena related to the arc. For instance, the description about electromagnetic interactions with the arc, which governs the arc trajectory and lead to plasma jet and arc blow formation, seems to be yet controversial. Thus, the present study aimed a better understanding of these phenomena. An e-mail survey was carried out to confirm discordant descriptions of the phenomena. Some points were raised about the actual physical explanation used in the current literature. Some experimental work with arcs at different levels of current was carried out and shows that plasma jet has an important role in the welding arc trajectory, but there are other factors acting at the same time. Using electromagnetic theory and flow mechanics explanation, more comprehensive models were eventually presented to explain plasma jet formation and the arc blow phenomenon.