Simulation of GMAW thermal process based on string heat source model

A 3-D string heat source model was developed to simulate the thermal process for gas metal arc welding (GMAW) with a new transient solution of heat transfer. Reflection heat sources, the imaginary heat source and the imaginary heat sink were introduced to make the solution more reliable. The moving welding heat input during GMAW welding process was presented with a moving 3-D string heat source model made up of a group of elementary point heat sources along the moving coordinate axes. Using established models, the whole process from arc starting, quasi-steady state (QSS), to arc extinguishing during welding Q195 steel has been simulated. Meanwhile, some calculations and experiments for JG590 steel have also been made. The predicted weld cross-sections and welding thermal cycles show a good agreement with experimental measurements.