Numerical Simulation of Arc Characteristics of Symmetric and Asymmetric Flat Tungsten Electrodes

Tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding with flat tungsten electrode can effectively reduce the arc pressure distribution, restrain welding defects, and improve the welding speed of thin plate. In this article, the arc characteristics of symmetric and asymmetric flat tungsten electrodes are studied by selecting different tip angles and tilt angles of flat tungsten electrodes. The temperature variation, current density variation, flow field variation, and pressure variation of flat tungsten electrode arc are calculated. Based on the approximate formula of cathode jet intensity of flat tungsten arc, the variation laws of various physical fields are clarified from the perspective of flow.