Effect of Gravity on Arc Shape in GTA Welding

Abstract

In order to investigate the effect of gravity on the arc shape in gas tungsten arc (GTA) welding, GTA welding was carried out using the drop-shaft type microgravity system at the Japan Microgravity Center (JAMIC) . The materials used were an aluminum alloy and pure silver. It has became clear that the effect of gravity on the arc shape is not observed under general welding conditions (over 70 A) regardless of the observed region and the shielding gas flow rate. The displacement of the arc gap during the transition from the terrestrial environment to the microgravity environment can change the arc shape.