GHTA Spot-Welding Experiments of Aluminum and Titanium Plates under a Simulated Space Environment

Abstract

GHTA (Gas Hollow Tungsten Arc) welding experiments were conducted under a simulated space environment that consists of vacuum and microgravity. A vacuum chamber for the experiments was placed in the aircraft cabin. Aluminum and titanium plates were employed as work pieces. The experiments prove that the arc discharge phenomena, the welding phenomena, and the microstructure of welded metal receive almost no effect from gravity. Moreover, it is also demonstrated that the weld metal of the plate welded under the simulated space environment hangs down less than that of the plate welded on the ground.