Free Surface Deformation of the Weld Pool in Orbital Narrow Gap GTA Welding

Arc current welding is a widespread process in heavy industry for the assembly of metallic components. In order to ensure the good quality of welded assemblies, it is appropriate to master the welding process but also to have a deep understanding of interactions with the weld pool and resulting characteristics. Numerical simulation is used as a predictivein situ analysis tool which provides additional data to real-time measurements. It involves taking into account heat transfer and fluid flow inside the melt pool, but also electromagnetic phenomena induced by the electrical arc. For that purpose, a 3D steady-state model is implemented with energy, momentum, mass and current conservation equations and by taking into account the deformation of the free surface with an ALE method. Marangoni effect, Lorentz forces and Buoyancy are also included. Results are in good agreement with the state-of-the-art knowledge.