• Journal of Welding and Joining
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.46-52
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• 1999

The auxiliary gas-shielded MAG (AMAG) process, which was devised to provide an argon-rich shielding environment using small amount of argon gas, was investigated experimentally to figure out its effects on metal transfer and weld quality. Proper conditions for the AMAG process including the argon gas ratio, position and direction of the auxiliary nozzle were determined experimentally. Performance of the AMAG process was compared with that of the double gas-shielded MAG(DMAG) and MAG processes by monitoring the bead profile, current and voltage waveforms. The AMAG process was found to provide better bead profile, more stable arc and wider operating range of spray transfer mode compared with the DMAG process. In general, performance of the AMAG process using the argon ratio of 30% was comparable to that of the MAG process using 80% argon and 20% CO₂ gas.

• Journal of Welding and Joining
• /
• v.17 no.6
• /
• pp.38-45
• /
• 1999

Shielding gas has significant effects on arc stability, metal transfer and weld quality in the gas metal arc welding (GMAW) process. The double gas-shielded MAG(DMAG) and auxiliary gas-shielded MAG (AMAG) torches are investigated for their capability to provide argon-rich gas mixture using small amount of argon gas through the inner and auxiliary nozzles, respectively. Argon composition with the DMAG torch is calculated numerically, and compared with the measured data using the gas chromatogrphy. Gas flow pattern of the DMAG torch is calculated to change from the laminar to turbulent flow when total gas flow rate becomes larger than 4.5 liter/min at room temperature. While argon-rich shielding gas was obtained using both the AMAG and DMAG torches, the AMAG torch provides higher argon composition than the DMAG torch, which demonstrates that argon gas can be utilized more efficiently with the AMAG torch.