Abstract :
The electrical characteristics of the arc as used in welding technology are considered, giving some attention to problems of arc reignition and stability, and to the means of assessing the suitability of power sources for welding operations. The behaviour of thermionic and nonthermionic cathodes is reviewed and recent developments in the investigation of nonthermionic cathodes are described. Work on the arc column is divided into sections on properties and fluid dynamics, following which the behaviour of the column during welding is reviewed in relation to specific problems such as arc force, arc stiffness, magnetic effects and arc blow. A final section covers the anode, particularly in relation to the tungsten/argon arc and its use in the gas tungsten arc welding process.
Keywords :
arc welding; power supplies to apparatus; reviews; thermionic cathodes; welding electrodes; anode; arc blow; arc column; arc force; arc reignition; arc stiffness; electric arc; fluid dynamics; fusion welding; gas W arc welding; magnetic effects; nonthermionic cathodes; power sources; review; stability; thermionic cathodes;
