Random nature of droplet size and its origins in short circuit CO₂ arc welding

The nature of the droplet size variation and its effect on the process behaviour were investigated for short circuit CO₂ arc welding using a power supply with constant voltage output. To obtain the droplet images and record the welding current and voltage transient waveforms in phase, an integrated experimental system was established by combining a high speed charge coupled device camera based on laser shadowing and a related optical system with a dual channel analog/digital converter. The droplet size in short circuit transfer mode is defined as the maximum diameter of the molten droplet just before short circuiting. The experimental results reveal that the distribution of droplet size typically has a random nature with a range of between 1 and 2 times the electrode diameter. Excessively large or small droplet size is markedly unfavourable to the process stability. The droplet shape just before short circuiting and the short circuiting experience are also critical factors affecting the process behaviour. The main factors influencing the droplet size and shape are analysed in detail and approaches to control their evolution are then proposed.