Augmentation of weld penetration by flux assisted TIG welding and its distinct variants for oxygen free copper

A comparative study to investigate the influences of single component fluxes on the depth-to-width ratio (DWR) of oxygen free copper was carried out with novel variants of tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding namely Activated TIG (A-TIG), Flux Bounded TIG (FB-TIG) and Flux Zoned TIG (FB-TIG) processes. The experiments to identify the fluxes delivering the higher DWRs in A-TIG welding among thirteen distinct fluxes were followed by the trials with FB-TIG and FZ-TIG employing those identified DWR fluxes. The fluxes which outperformed with all the techniques were MoO3 & MgO. Reversed Marangoni and arc constriction mechanisms were perceived to be opt for such an increase in DWR. Metallurgical characterization of the weldment indicated distinct grain morphologies and certain defects as well in the weld zones. The FZ-TIG welding is postulated to surpass all the techniques in terms of bringing about the upmost weld penetration.