Interaction of DC Plasma Jet with a Melting Metal: Experimental Measurements and Mathematical Description

摘要

This investigation was concerned with the experimental and theoretical study of the interaction of a transferred arc plasma jet with a metal block onto which this jet impinges. Problems of this type are of interest in plasma arc remelting processes and also in welding. The study had both experimental and analytical (mathematical) modelling components. The experimental work involved the construction of an apparatus which is essence consisted of a 20 kW plasma jet impinging onto a hemispherical steel block of 200 mm diameter. The experiment measured the voltage, the current, the plasma gas flow rate and the evolution of the temperature fields as the metal block was heated up and partially melted.