Impact of Magnetic Fields on Arc Pressure, Temperature, Plasma Velocity, and Voltage in TIG Welding

A longitudinal magnetic field provides a new method for regulating the plasma velocity, pressure field, and temperature field of the TIG welding arc. However, the mechanism of action of the longitudinal magnetic field remains poorly understood. In order to address this problem, this paper develops a numerical model based on continuum mechanics. The mechanism of how magnetic field strength affects temperature, pressure field, plasma velocity, and potential was investigated. The geometric shape, temperature, pressure, and plasma velocity of the TIG welding arc under different magnetic fields were predicted. The results indicate that as magnetic field strength increases, the arc shape is compressed under the influence of magnetic forces, with the degree of compression increasing with magnetic field strength; plasma velocity gradually increases from 74 m/s at 0 mT to 296 m/s at 150 mT, but the velocity along the arc’s central axis first decreases and then increases with increasing magnetic field strength. As the magnetic field strength increases, a negative pressure first appears near the cathode, then expands toward the cathode, and finally toward the anode. During the expansion of the negative pressure, the maximum absolute value of the arc pressure increases by 12.72 times.