Fig. 5: Analysis of the cathode spot driven mechanism for polarity-dependent flow differences during AC arc melting of aluminium alloy. | Communications Materials

Fig. 5: Analysis of the cathode spot driven mechanism for polarity-dependent flow differences during AC arc melting of aluminium alloy.

From: Metal flow mechanisms during alternating current arc welding and additive manufacturing of aluminium alloy

Fig. 5

a Three-dimensional convection of the keyhole molten pool with different tungsten setbacks. The arrowed lines represent the flow vectors on each trajectory. Multiple flow trajectories together form the overall flow field of the molten pool. b Average flow velocity at the keyhole back sidewall. The numbers (①, ②, ③) correspond to those in a. c Schematic of cathode spot movement on the molten pool surface. d Schematic illustrating the shear caused by vapour jet because of cathode spot. e Movement of the plasma cloud caused by clusters of cathode spots. t0 represents the start moment of EP stage. Panels f, g are magnified images showing the boundaries of the plasma cloud. Error bars represent one standard deviation (SD) from the mean. PC denotes ‘plasma cloud’.

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