Modelling of fundamental phenomena in gas tungsten arc welds

Practical application of new and advanced materials is often limited by the quality and reliability of welding processes. Specific demands of properties and performance can only be met by controlling the microstructure of the weld joint. While there continues to be an increased emphasis on the reliability and uniformity of engineered and manufactured components, a fundamental understanding of advanced and conventional joining processes has proven to be somewhat inadequate. Advanced mathematical techniques and computer simulations play a major role in providing enhanced understanding of conventional and advanced materials processing. Development and application of mathematical models and computer simulation techniques can provide a quantitative understanding of advanced materials and processing technologies and will minimise the need for expensive and time–consuming trial–and–error product development. This paper briefly describes current research in modelling of weld processes, emphasising recent development in the prediction of weld solidification structures.