By developing mathematical models for the arc and the weld pool in the GTAW process, the effect of the electrode tip angle on both arc and weld pool was studied. The present paper is concerned with the model for the arc. By applying a variable cathode surface area, the effect of the electrode tip angle (in the range of 10 to ) on the arc properties, especially on the anode current density, heat flux and gas shear stress over the weld pool, was investigated. Comparison of the calculated results with the available experimental data for 200 A arcs of different lengths showed that the model predictions for temperatures higher than 10 000 K are in very good agreement. For temperatures less than 10 000 K, some modifications were necessary to take into account the absorption of heat by the cooler parts of the arc. It was found that by increasing the electrode tip angle, the anode spot at the weld pool surface tended to be more localized. This led to a higher maximum heat flux and anode current density. On the other hand, the gas shear stress increased on decreasing the electrode tip angle.
The structure of molten silicon has been determined at three temperatures of 1440, 1460 and 1520° C by X-ray diffraction. All structure factors indicate a characteristic small hump on the higher wave vector side of the first peak and such specific feature becomes slightly obscure as the temperature increases. A small peak is found in the region between the first (0.245 nm) and second (0.55 nm) main peaks in the pair distribution functions with a shallow minimum at about 0.35 nm. This is not observed in the pair distribution functions for usual molten metals. The coordination numbers in the near-neighbor region have been estimated by applying the interference function refining technique and the results for the first two neighbors are 6.3 (4.6+1.7) at 1440° C, 5.7 (4.5+1.2) at 1460° C and 5.8 (4.4+1.4) at 1520° C. The present structural information is consistent with the recent results of density and electrical resistivity of molten silicon.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.