Metal transfer characteristics of GMAW with strip electrode

The metal transfer process of gas metal arc welding with strip electrode is observed by a high speed digital camera system. Because the rectangular strip electrode has a large width/thickness ratio, the pendant droplet is elliptical in shape, and multicurrent channels are generated. The Lorentz force induced between the multicurrent channels drives the droplet and welding arc to move along the strip electrode end, but the droplet always lags behind the welding arc. The movement results in uncertain droplet's detaching location and transition trajectory. The projected transfer mode is promoted, and the streaming and rotating transfer modes are restrained. With the increase in welding power, the droplet motion is faster but more stable. The stability can be reflected from the fluctuation of the welding current and arc voltage waveforms.