Authors

Abstract

Simulation of welding process (TIG or GTAW) of butt joint using finite
element analysis is presented. The base metal is ST(304). The numerical model
developed by include moving heat source, temperature dependent material
properties, phase change and transformation, and mechanical analysis. The
parameters studied numerically were welding current ranging between (80-150A)
depending on, welding velocity, plate thickness (2.5mm -5mm), and material of the
heat sink (carbon steel and copper). The numerical results show that increasing the
welding current with increasing of welding speed decreases the fusion zone area.
Using copper plate underneath the welded plates acts as a dissipation heat sink
which generates stronger heat gradient compared with carbon steel plate. The
experimental results show that increasing welding current leads to increasing the
micro hardness, and the microstructure becomes smaller. Due to increasing cooling
rate the microhardness have maximum value at the boundary between the Fusion
zone and heat affected zone.

Keywords