3D finite element simulation of TIG weld pool

X. Kong (1) , Olivier Asserin (1) , S. Gounand (2, 1) , P. Gilles (3) , J.-M. Bergheau (4) , M. Médale (5)

1 DM2S - Département de Modélisation des Systèmes et Structures
2 STMF - Service de Thermo-hydraulique et de Mécanique des Fluides
3 AREVA
4 LTDS - Laboratoire de Tribologie et Dynamique des Systèmes
5 IUSTI - Institut universitaire des systèmes thermiques industriels

The aim of this paper is to propose a three-dimensional weld pool model for the moving gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) process, in order to understand the main factors that limit the weld quality and improve the productivity, especially with respect to the welding speed. Simulation is a very powerful tool to help in understanding the physical phenomena in the weld process. A 3D finite element model of heat and fluid flow in weld pool considering free surface of the pool and traveling speed has been developed for the GTAW process. Cast3M software is used to compute all the governing equations. The free surface of the weld pool is calculated by minimizing the total surface energy. The combined effects of surface tension gradient, buoyancy force, arc pressure, arc drag force to drive the fluid flow is included in our model. The deformation of the weld pool surface and the welding speed affect fluid flow, heat flow and thus temperature gradients and molten pool dimensions. Welding trials study is presented to compare our numerical results with macrograph of the molten pool.

Domains: Engineering Sciences [physics]; Mechanics [physics.med-ph]; Fluids mechanics [physics.class-ph]

X. Kong, Olivier Asserin, S. Gounand, P. Gilles, J.-M. Bergheau, et al.. 3D finite element simulation of TIG weld pool. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 2012, MCWASP XIII - International Conference on Modeling of Casting, Welding and Advanced Solidification Processes, 33, pp.012025. ⟨10.1088/1757-899X/33/1/012025⟩. ⟨cea-02284855⟩