Numerical study of gas tungsten arc plasma with anode melting

In order to clarify the formative mechanism of penetration geometry of anode in an arc melting process by using gas tungsten arc plasma, a numerical model is useful to understand quantitative values of the balances of mass, energy and force in the melting phenomena. In the present paper, the whole region of arc melting process, namely tungsten cathode, arc plasma and anode is treated in a unified numerical model to take into account the close interaction between the arc plasma and the liquid anode. Calculations are made for the time-dependent development of the penetration of the anode for the arc plasma in different gaseous atmosphere at a current of 150 A. The anode penetration geometry as a function of time is predicted in the arc melting process in argon and also helium. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.