metals

Article
Analysis and Characterization of the Weld Pool and
Bead Geometry of Inconel 625 Super-TIG Welds
Jung Hyun Park 1 , Muralimohan Cheepu 2, * and Sang Myung Cho 2
1 Department of Materials System Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Korea;
jungsoug@naver.com
2 Super-TIG Welding Co., Limited Busan 48513, Korea; pnwcho@pknu.ac.kr
* Correspondence: muralicheepu@gmail.com; Tel.: +82-51-629-6377




Received: 5 February 2020; Accepted: 10 March 2020; Published: 11 March 2020


Abstract: The welding market is changing globally, becoming eco-friendly, robotized and automated.
The tungsten inert gas welding (TIG) process is indispensable in industries that require high-quality
welds with the absence of spatter and fumes. However, the production rate of TIG welding is very
low, which limits its many applications. The present study introduces a novel TIG welding method
called super-TIG welding. Super-TIG welding is able to produce a high production rate of welds
compared to other fusion welding methods. In super-TIG welding, the novel C-type filler is used,
which is different from the conventional TIG welding of circular wire. The relations of the heat input
ratio in super-TIG welding to weld pool length and weld bead geometry were measured using the
Inconel 625 C-filler. Two types of deposition techniques were used for a bead-on-plate welds, such as
stringer beads and oscillation beads. The weld pool and bead geometry measurements are found
to be different between stringer beads and oscillation bead techniques. The length of the molten
pool and bead size were higher for oscillation beads over the stringer beads. These changes were
associated with the difference in heat transfer contact area and bead height.

Keywords: Super-TIG welding; Inconel 625; C-Filler; molten pool; penetration depth; bead width;
bead height

1. Introduction
In recent years, the welding market has been changing toward environmental-friendliness and
complete automation with high production. TIG welding is an eco-friendly welding process with
no spatter or fumes, and is a welding process capable of producing reliable welds [1]. However,
its applications are restricted to limited industries due to its low productivity [2]. In order to improve
the productivity of TIG welding, it is necessary to increase the current and increase the welding speed.
However, under high-current TIG welding, discontinuous beads and undercuts can be formed due to
the impact of strong arc pressure on the base metal [3–6].
Lin and Eagar [3] have identified that the effect of arc pressure at the center region is directly
proportional to the TIG current. The increase in welding current leads to the high pressure at the
center of the arc and tends to form the defects. It was reported that the importance of arc current and
its length in the TIG welding decide the range of arc power [4]. Oh et al. [5] have investigated the
spreading of current density in the arc by the output of the arc pressure. Mendez et al. [6] reported the
demerits of the use of high welding current in TIG welding regarding the quality of the weld bead
appearance. Therefore, studies were focused on arc characteristic improvements and performance of
the arc pressure by developing various methods. Initially, some researchers tried the application of an
external magnetic effect to regulate the arc characteristics and increased the travel speed to enhance
the productivity of the welding [7].

Metals 2020, 10, 365; doi:10.3390/met10030365 www.mdpi.com/journal/metals

Metals 2020, 10, 365 2 of 11

High energy TIG arc welding is one of the recently developed methods by modifying the TIG
welding with the controlling of arc space by compressing and constraining the arc. Therefore, the arc
energy and arc ionization change to release the arc heat dissipation [8]. Some studies proved that
activated TIG (A-TIG) welding could effectively improve productivity by enhancing the penetration
depth by arc constriction and the Marangoni effect [9]. Further improvements in TIG welding led to the
development of the magnetic, enriched, keyhole gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) process. By using a
point magnetic field system selected with permanent magnetic poles surrounded by water cooling,
the arc shape was modified to control the arc characteristics of welding to reduce the total heat in the
welds [10]. To reduce the heat input in TIG welding, a low current welding process was developed by
the addition of the hot wire [11]. All of these techniques were focused on process modification. It is
expensive and needs an implementation of modified types of equipment according to the applications.
Most recently, a high productivity method developed in TIG welding by changing the shape of the
circular section to a C-shape was called super-TIG welding [12–14].
In this study, super-TIG welding is applied for bead-on-plate (BOP) welds with the Inconel 625
C-Filler. The objective of this paper is to clarify the relation of heat input ratio and bead geometry,
penetration depth and molten pool length in GTAW. Two different deposition techniques were applied
for the welds—stringer beads and oscillation beads. The molten pool length was measured for each
deposition technique. Similarly, the penetration depth and height also were measured.

2. Materials and Methods

The materials of the SS400 (ASTM A283) plate with a thickness of 10 mm were used for the
present study. The bead-on-plate welds were produced on the SS400 plate using Inconel 625 C-Filler.
The chemical compositions of the SS400 and C-Filler are given in Table 1. The process setup and
C-Filler position are shown in Figure 1. The C-Filler was used as a consumable wire to deposit
the weld beads instead of circular wire. The cross-sectional view of the C-Filler is presented in
Figure 2. The experiments were carried out using stringer (non-OS) beads and oscillation (OS) beads.
The welding parameters for the stringer bead and oscillation bead weld tests are presented in Table 2.
During welding, the welding current was kept constant and the feed rate was altered to change
deposition area (DA) and deposition rate (DR). The width also increased at a constant oscillation
frequency of 3.5 Hz. The molten pool was recorded for every condition to determine the weld pool
characteristics using a Nikon camera, (Nikon, Tokyo, Japan). The camera setup conditions are given in
Table 3. In order to calculate the heat input ratio (HR ), we used the measured current, voltage and feed
rate of the feeder by connecting the welding waveform monitoring system to the TIG welding machine.
The heat input ratio was calculated from the welding current, voltage, travel speed and deposition area
(current and voltage were measured by waveform monitoring system, Monitech, Republic of Korea) as
per the Equations (1) and (2). Figure 3 exhibits the macrostructure with the measuring procedure for
the penetration area, bead width, bead height and average penetration. The penetration is expressed
as the average penetration (AP) by dividing the penetration area (PA) by the bead width, as per the
Equation (3). Figure 4 depicts the schematic diagram for the measurement of the melt pool length from
the images recorded using the camera. The length of the molten pool was expressed as the length from
the end of the arc diameter to the region not solidified.

kJ
 Voltage(V ) × Current(A) × 60
Heat input =   (1)
mm Travel speed(S) mmmin × 1000
 kJ 
kJ
 Heat input mm
Heat input ratio = (2)
mm3 Depostion area (mm2 )
Penetration area
Average penetration (mm) = (3)
Bead width
 The materials of the SS400 (ASTM A283) plate with a thickness of 10 mm were used for the
present study. The bead-on-plate welds were produced on the SS400 plate using Inconel 625 C-Filler.
The chemical compositions of the SS400 and C-Filler are given in Table 1. The process setup and C-
Filler position are shown in Figure 1. The C-Filler was used as a consumable wire to deposit the weld
beads instead of circular wire. The cross-sectional view of the C-Filler is presented in Figure 2. The
Metals 2020, 10, 365 3 of 11
experiments were carried out using stringer (non-OS) beads and oscillation (OS) beads. The welding

Table 1. Chemical
Table 1. Chemical composition
composition of
of the
the SS400
SS400 and
and of
of C-Filler.
C-Filler.
Material
Material CC SiSi MnMn PP S S Cr Cr NiNi
SS400Base
BaseMetal
Metal 0.155 0.163 0.455 0.007 0.009 0.019 0.0101
SS400 0.155 0.163 0.455 0.007 0.009 0.019 0.0101
Inconel
Inconel625
625C-Filler
C-Filler 0.10
0.10 0.50
0.50 0.50
0.50 23.0
23.0 58.0
58.0 10.010.0 5.0 5.0

Metals 2020, 10, x FOR PEER REVIEW 3 of 11

Figure 1. Super-TIG
Super-TIG welding process setup.

Figure 2. A cross-section of the C-Filler for super-TIG welding.

Figure 2. A cross-section of the C-Filler for super-TIG welding.

Parameters forSuper-TIG
Table 2. the stringer beadconditions
welding and oscillation
used for bead weld
stringer beadtests
andareoscillation
presented in Table
bead tests. 2. During
welding, the welding current was kept constant and the feed rate was altered to change deposition
Base Metal SS400 (50 mm × 150 mm × 10 mm)
area (DA) and deposition
Filler Metalrate (DR). The width also increased at a constant
Inconel 625(C-Filler, 5mm2oscillation
) frequency of
3.5 Hz. The molten
Shield pool was recorded for every condition 20
Gas (L/min) to (Ar 93% + H2 the
determine 7% )weld pool characteristics
using a Nikon Arc Length(Nikon,
camera, (mm) Tokyo, Japan). The camera setup conditions 5 are given in Table 3. In
Current (A) 300
order to calculate the heat input ratio (HR), we used the measured current, voltage and feed rate of
Welding Speed (cm/min) 50
the feeder by connecting
Experiment the
No. welding waveform
1 monitoring
2 3 system
4 to 5the TIG6 welding 7 machine.
8 The
heat input ratio
Feedwas
Ratecalculated
(cm/min) from the 125
welding 135current,
145 voltage,
155 travel 165 speed175 and185 deposition
195 area
Deposition
(current and voltageArea
were (mm2 )
DAmeasured 13.8
by waveform 14.9 monitoring
16.0 17.1
system, 18.2 19.3 Republic
Monitech, 20.4 21.5
of Korea)
Deposition Rate DR (kg/h) 3.3 3.6 3.8 4.1 4.4 4.6 4.9 5.1
as per the Equations (1) and (2). Figure 3 exhibits the macrostructure with the measuring procedure
Oscillation Test
for the penetration area, bead width, bead
Oscillation Width (mm) 0
height
1.8
and
2.4
average
3.0
penetration.
3.6 4.2
The 4.8
penetration
5.4
is
expressed as the average(Hz)
Frequency penetration (AP)3.5by dividing
- the
- penetration
- - area (PA)
- by -the bead - width,
as per the Equation (3). Figure 4 depicts the schematic diagram for the measurement of the melt pool
length from the images recorded using the camera. The length of the molten pool was expressed as
the length from the end of the arc diameter to the region not solidified.

Table 2. Super-TIG welding conditions used for stringer bead and oscillation bead tests.

Base Metal SS400 (50 mm × 150 mm × 10 mm)

Filler Metal Inconel 625(C-Filler, 5mm2)
Shield Gas (L/min) 20 (Ar 93% + H2 7% )
Arc Length (mm) 5
Current (A) 300
Welding Speed (cm/min) 50
Experiment No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
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Table 3. Weld pool measuring

Weld pool measuring camera conditions.
conditions.
Table 3.
Table 3. Weld pool measuring camera
camera conditions.
Camera Nikon—V1
Camera
Camera Nikon—V1 Nikon—V1
Lens AF MICRO NIKKOR 105 mm
LensLens AF MICRO NIKKOR 105 mm
Filter UV 62AF
mmMICRO NIKKOR
+ ND2-2000 105 mm
52 mm
Filter
Filter distance (mm) UV 62 mm +
UV 62 mmND2-2000
+ 52 mm
ND2-2000 52 mm
Lens to work 350
Lens
Lens to work
to work distance
distance (mm) (mm) 350o 350
Filming angle (o) −37o
Filming
Filming (o ) (o)
angle
angle −37 −37o
Shutter 1/640, F14
Shutter
Shutter 1/640,1/640,
F14 F14

Figure
Figure 3.
3. Definition
Definition and
and measurement
measurement of
of bead
bead geometryF.
geometryF.
Figure 3. Definition and measurement of bead geometryF.

Figure 4.
Figure Definition and
4. Definition and measurement
measurement of
of molten
molten pool
pool length.
length.
Figure 4. Definition and measurement of molten pool length.
3. Results
3. Results
3. Results
3.1. Sringer Bead Test (Non-OS)
3.1. Sringer Bead Test (Non-OS)
3.1. Sringer
Figure Bead Test (Non-OS)
5 illustrates the molten pool characteristics according to the heat input ratio. The heat
inputFigure
ratio 5 illustrates
value varied
Figure 5 illustrates the
the
in molten
order pool characteristics
to determine
molten the changesaccording
pool characteristics in the weldto
according
the heat
topool. When
the heat
input ratio. The
the welding
input ratio. The
heat
current
heat
input
and ratio value varied in order to determine the changes in the weld pool. When the welding current
inputwelding
ratio value speed are constant,
varied in order tothe C-Filler the
determine feed rate is in
changes increased.
the weld Hence,
pool. Whenthe deposition
the welding area also
current
and welding
increased; then,speed
the are
heat constant,
input thevalue
ratio C-Filler feed rateAs
decreased. is the
increased.
heat Hence,
input ratio the deposition
decreases, the area also
welding
and welding speed are constant, the C-Filler feed rate is increased. Hence, the deposition area also
increased;
voltage then, the
decreases heat input
gradually dueratio
to thevalue
increasedecreased. As the
in feed rate andheat input ratio
deposition area.decreases, the welding
It was considered that
increased; then, the heat input ratio value decreased. As the heat input ratio decreases, the welding
voltage
the decreases
increase of feed gradually
rate led to due to the
thetoincreaseincrease
of beadin feed
heightrate and deposition area. It was considered
voltage decreases gradually due the increase in feed rateandanddecrease
deposition in welding
area. It wasvoltage. As the
considered
that the
bead increase
height of feedthe
increases, rate led to the
distance increase
between the oftungsten
bead height and decrease
electrode and the in welding
molten metal voltage.
becomes As
that the increase of feed rate led to the increase of bead height and decrease in welding voltage. As
the bead[15].
smaller heightTheincreases,
molten the distance
pool length wasbetween
expected the tungsten
to decrease electrode
with theand the molten
decrasing of metal
heat becomes
input ratio,
the bead height increases, the distance between the tungsten electrode and the molten metal becomes
smaller
but [15]. The
the results molten pool
determined length was
an increase expected
in molten poolto length
decrease with
[16]. the decrasing
Figure 6 shows the of cross-sections
heat input ratio, of
smaller [15]. The molten pool length was expected to decrease with the decrasing of heat input ratio,
but macrostructure
the the results determinedaccording an increase
to H for in molten
the pool
stringer length
bead [16].
welds. Figure
It was 6 shows
observed the
that cross-sections
the decrease
but the results determined an increase R in molten pool length [16]. Figure 6 shows the cross-sections
of the
in heatmacrostructure
input ratio resulted according to HR for average
in decreasing the stringer bead welds.
penetration andIt was width,
observed butthat
the the decrease
of the macrostructure according to HR for the stringer bead welds. Itbead
was observed that bead
the height
decrease
in heat input
increased. The ratio
heat resulted
transfer in decreasing
contact area average
between the penetration
molten pool and
and bead
base width,
metal is but the
directly bead height
propotional
in heat input ratio resulted in decreasing average penetration and bead width, but the bead height
increased.
to the heat Theinputheat
ratio,transfer contact area
and it decreases withbetween the molten
the decreasing of HR .poolThe and
thermalbaseconductivity
metal is directly
of the
increased. The heat transfer contact area between the molten pool and base metal is directly
propotional
Inconel to the
625 istolower. heat input
Therefore, ratio, and it decreases with the decreasing of H . The thermal
input the accumulation of heat in the the
welddecreasing
pool is intendedof HR.toThe increase the
R
propotional the heat ratio, and it decreases with thermal
conductivity
molten pool of the Consequently,
length. Inconel 625 is the lower.
heat Therefore,
input ratio the
is a accumulation
governing of heat for
parameter in the
weld weld
pool pool
lengthis
conductivity of the Inconel 625 is lower. Therefore, the accumulation of heat in the weld pool is
intended
and bead to increaseThe
geometry. thedesired
molten pool length.
welding conditions Consequently,
to obtain the the heat input
required weld ratiogeometry
bead is a governing
can be
intended to increase the molten pool length. Consequently, the heat input ratio is a governing
parameter
easily for weld
determined bypool length
the heat andratio
input bead ingeometry.
super-TIG The desired welding conditions to obtain the
welding.
parameter for weld pool length and bead geometry. The desired welding conditions to obtain the
required weld bead geometry can be easily determined by the heat input ratio in super-TIG welding.
required weld bead geometry can be easily determined by the heat input ratio in super-TIG welding.
but it we saw an increase. That is due to the fact that the experiment was conducted with a BOP Test.
The decreasing of heat input ratio causes a decrease in bead width and the heat transfer contact area
to the base material, such that the molten metal solidification becomes slower, thereby increasing
length. The decreasing of bead width is because of the consumption of a large amount of heat for the
melting of10,
Metals 2020, the365high speed filler metal. The lesser effect of heat on the base material cannot melt
5 ofits
11
surface deeply; hence, the wettability becomes lowered [17].

Figure
Figure 5.
5. Molten
Molten pool
pool length
length according
according to
to heat
heat input
input ration
ration of
of stringer
stringer bead
bead test.
test.

Figure 7 shows the results of penetration and bead height, according to HR , in the stringer bead
tests. The bead height tends to increase, and the penetration becomes shallow, with the decreasing of the
heat input ratio; this is due to the increase of the deposition area (see Equation (2)). At higher deposition
rates, most of the heat input is consumed for melting the filler metal; therefore, the melting of the base
metal is minimal. Figure 8 illustrates the results of molten pool length and bead width according to the
HR . The bead width decreases and the molten pool length increases with the decreeasing of the heat
input ratio. When the heat input ratio decreased, the molten pool length was expected to be short due
to the consumption of a large amount of heat input to melt the filler metal, but it we saw an increase.
That is due to the fact that the experiment was conducted with a BOP Test. The decreasing of heat
input ratio causes a decrease in bead width and the heat transfer contact area to the base material,
such that the molten metal solidification becomes slower, thereby increasing length. The decreasing of
bead width is because of the consumption of a large amount of heat for the melting of the high speed
filler metal. The lesser effect of heat on the base material cannot melt its surface deeply; hence, the
wettability becomes lowered [17].
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Figure 6. Cross-section
Figure results of stringerbead
bead test.
Figure 6. 6. Cross-section results
Cross-section results of
ofstringer
stringer beadtest.
test.
Figure 6. Cross-section results of stringer bead test.

Figure 7. Penetration and bead height according to HR for the stringer bead test.

Penetration and R for

for the
the stringer bead test.
Figure 7. Penetration and bead
Figure 7. bead height
height according to H
according to HRR for the stringer bead test.

Figure 8. Molten pool length and bead width according to HR for the stringer bead test.

Figure 8. Molten pool length and bead width according to HR for the stringer bead test.
Figure 8. Molten pool length and bead width according to HR for the stringer bead test.
Figure 8. Molten pool length and bead width according to HR for the stringer bead test.
Metals 2020, 10, 365 7 of 11

3.2. Oscilaltion Bead

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The oscillation bead test results revealed the differences in welding voltage. In general, the voltage
3.2. Oscilaltion Bead Test
remains constant, even through the decreasing of HR , unlike the result of the stringer bead test. Because
of the OS,The theoscillation bead test results revealed the differences in welding voltage. In general, the
average voltage was considered to be constant, even though the HR is lower. Figure 9
voltage remains constant, even through the decreasing of HR, unlike the result of the stringer bead
shows the photograph of the molten pool length according to HR in the OS test. The molten pool
test. Because of the OS, the average voltage was considered to be constant, even though the HR is
length decreased and increased again with the decreasing of heat input ratio. Figure 10 shows the
lower. Figure 9 shows the photograph of the molten pool length according to HR in the OS test. The
cross-sectional
molten poolmacrostructure
length decreasedaccording to Hagain
and increased R of thewith OSthetest. The decreasing
decreasing of Hratio.
of heat input R hasFigure
resulted10 in a
decrease in bead width and penetration and an increase of bead height. The
shows the cross-sectional macrostructure according to HR of the OS test. The decreasing of HR has bead width was found to
be within 10% for oscillation beads. Figure 11 illustrates the penetration and
resulted in a decrease in bead width and penetration and an increase of bead height. The bead width bead height, according
to HRwas found
in the OSto be In
test. within
this 10%
test, for oscillation
even though beads.
the HRFigure 11 illustrates
is smaller, the bead the penetration
height becomes andlarger
bead and
height,
reduces the according
penetration to depth.
HR in the OS test.
Figure 12 In this test,
shows even though
the results of thethe HR is pool
molten smaller, the and
length beadbead
heightwidth,
becomes larger and reduces the penetration depth. Figure 12 shows the
according to HR . Since the bead width was maintained at a constant level through the OS, the bead results of the molten pool
length and bead width, according to HR. Since the bead width was maintained at a constant level
width did not vary within 10%. As HR decreased, the molten pool length initially tended to decrease,
through the OS, the bead width did not vary within 10%. As HR decreased, the molten pool length
but increased from the HR 46.4 J/mm3 . This means that if the H3R lowers to a certain level, the bead
initially tended to decrease, but increased from the HR 46.4 J/mm . This means that if the HR lowers
heightto becomes
a certain higher.
level, theIt bead
is considered that the
height becomes molten
higher. pool
It is length becomes
considered longer pool
that the molten due to the slow
length
heat transfer. The heat transfer from the molten metal reduces after reaching
becomes longer due to the slow heat transfer. The heat transfer from the molten metal reduces after a certain level at which
the higher bead heights form [18]. The heat transfer contact area also increases with
reaching a certain level at which the higher bead heights form [18]. The heat transfer contact area also the atmosphere/air,
but its effect on
increases solidification
with is minimal
the atmosphere/air, but compared
its effect ontosolidification
the base metal; that is compared
is minimal due to thetolower thermal
the base
metal; that
conductivity ofisInconel
due to the
625.lower thermalconstant
Moreover, conductivity heatofinput
Inconelto625.
the Moreover,
molten pool constant
by the heat
TIG input
arc to
cannot
the molten pool by the TIG arc cannot enable the air to make
enable the air to make large changes in the solidification of the molten pool. large changes in the solidification of the
molten pool.

Figure 9. Molten
Figure pool
9. Molten length
pool according
length accordingtotoheat
heat input rationofofstringer
input ration stringer bead
bead test.
test.
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Figure
Figure10.
10.Cross-sectional
Cross-sectional results
Cross-sectional of the
results of the oscillation
oscillationbead
beadtest.
test.

Figure 11. Penetration and bead height according to HR for the oscillation bead test
Figure 11. Penetration and bead height according to HR R for
R for the
the oscillation
oscillation bead
bead test
test

Figure 12. Molten pool length and bead width according to HR for the oscillation bead test.
Figure
Figure 12. Molten pool
12. Molten pool length
length and
and bead
bead width
width according to H
according to HR for the oscillation bead test.
R for the oscillation bead test.
R
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Figure 13 shows the results of the molten pool length of stringer and OS bead tests, according to
Figure 13 shows the results
Figure results of the molten pool length of stringer and OS bead tests, according to
HR. The comparison of the plots between stringer beads and oscillation beads evidenced the
HRR. The
H Thecomparison
comparisonof of the the
plotsplots
betweenbetweenstringerstringer
beads beads and oscillation beads evidenced the
differences in the solidification of the molten pool andand bead oscillation
geometry. beads
Figureevidenced
14 shows theadifferences
schematic
differences
in in
the solidificationthe solidification of the molten pool and bead geometry. Figure 14 shows a schematic
diagram of the heat of the molten
transfer contact pool
area.andFigure
bead 14ageometry.
shows Figurea small14 showsarea,
contact a schematic
whereasdiagram
Figure 14b of
diagram
the heat of the heat
transfer transfer
contact area.contact
Figure area.
14a Figure
shows 14a
a shows
small a small
contact contact
area, area, Figure
whereas whereas 14bFigure
shows 14b
a
shows a large contact area. In the case of the stringer beads, when the HR is decreased, then the heat
showscontact
large a largearea.
contactIn area.case
the In the
of casestringer
the of the stringer
beads, beads,the
when whenH the
is H R is decreased,
decreased, then thethen
R melting of the base material is heatthe heat
input
input consumption for melting the C-Filler increased. Hence, the
input consumption
consumption for meltingfor melting
the the increased.
C-Filler C-Filler increased.
Hence, the Hence,
melting the melting
of the of the base
base material material so
is decreased is
decreased so that the bead width decreases and the bead height becomes higher. Because of the higher
decreased
that so that thedecreases
bead width decreases and thebecomes
bead height becomes higher. Because of the height,
higher
beadthe bead
height, width
the molten pooland the bead
length height
becomes longer. The higher.
increaseBecause
in bead of the higherdecreases
height bead the
bead
the height,
molten poolthe molten
length pool
becomes length
longer. becomes
The longer.
increase in The
bead increase
height in bead
decreases height
the decreases
distance between the
distance between the substrate and the molten pool. Thus, the heat transfer contact area reduces and
distance
the between the substrate and Thus,
the molten pool. Thus, contact
the heatarea transfer contact area reducespool and
the substrate
molten pool andlength molten
increases.pool. In the case theof heat
OS,transfer
molten pool reduces
length decreases and
with the
themolten
decreasing
the molten
length pool length
increases. In the increases.
case of In the
OS, moltencasepool
of OS, molten
length pool length
decreases with decreases
the with the
decreasing of decreasing
H , and
R to the it
of HR, and it tends to increase again. It is considered that the increase in the molten pool is due
of H
tends , and it tends
to increase to
again. increase again. It is considered that the increase in the molten pool is due to the
of It
theisbase
considered
materialthat thethe
increase in the amolten
certainpool is In
due thetocase
the wettability
R
wettability limitation when HR is above level. of grooved
wettabilityoflimitation
limitation the base of the base
material when material
the H when
is the
above H
R area, the HR becomes smaller, so the length of of
a is above
Rcertain a
level.certain
In the level.
case In
of the case
grooved grooved
welding or
welding or fillet welding with a large contact the molten
welding
fillet or fillet
welding welding
with a large with a large
contact area,contact
the H area, the
becomes H becomes
Rsmaller, sosmaller,
the lengthso the
of length
the of
molten the molten
pool will
pool will decrease. Additionally, in wire arc Radditive manufacturing, it may affect the resolution by
pool will decrease.
decrease. Additionally, Additionally,
in wire inadditive
wire arcmanufacturing,
additive manufacturing, it may affect the resolution by
inducing the flow of metal [14],arcunlike the power ratio usedittomay affect
control thecracking
hot resolution andbydilution
inducing in
inducing
the ofthe flow of metal [14],
the unlike the power ratio usedhot to control hot cracking and dilution in
the flow
nuclear metal
power[14], unlike
plants. Therefore, power HR ratio used to
is considered control
to be a better cracking
parameter and dilution
for setting inthe
the nuclear
welding
the nuclear
power power plants.HTherefore,
plants. HR is considered to parameter
be a better for parameter for welding
setting the welding
conditions dueTherefore,
to considering R is the
considered
weldingto be a better
speed and deposition setting the
area [18–21]. conditions
conditions
due due to considering
to considering the weldingthe welding
speed speed and area
and deposition deposition
[18–21].area [18–21].

Figure 13.
Figure 13. Graph
Graph of
of molten
molten pool
pool length
length by
by H
HR.
Figure 13. Graph of molten pool length by HRR.

Figure 14. Schematic of heat transfer according to the contact area of the (a) stringer bead; (b) the
Figure 14. Schematic of heat transfer according to the contact area of the (a) stringer bead; (b) the
Figure 14. bead.
oscillation Schematic of heat transfer according to the contact area of the (a) stringer bead; (b) the
oscillation bead.
oscillation bead.
4. Conclusions
4. Conclusions
4. Conclusions
Super-TIG welding was used for the measurement of molten pool length and bead geometry of
Super-TIG
BOP Super-TIG welding
welds withwelding was
Inconel was used for the measurement
625 C-type of molten pool length and bead geometry of
used forfiller. The heat input
the measurement ofratio
molten(HRpool
) was defined
length andasbead
the ratio of heat
geometry of
BOP
inputwelds with
to the with Inconel
deposition 625
area. C-type filler. The heat input ratio (H R) was defined as the ratio of heat
BOP welds Inconel 625 The results
C-type areThe
filler. as follows:
heat input ratio (HR) was defined as the ratio of heat
input to the deposition area. The results are as follows:
input to the deposition area. The results are as follows:
Metals 2020, 10, 365 10 of 11

1) In the stringer bead test, the bead width and penetration decreased and the molten pool length
tended to increase as HR decreased. The increase of molten pool length is caused by the reduction of
heat transfer contact area and the increase of bead height.
2) In the oscillation bead test, bead width is nearly constant, even though the HR decreases, but
penetration decreases as the HR decreases. The smaller the HR over 46 J/mm3 , the shorter the molten
pool length. However, in the low region of HR under 46 J/mm3 , molten pool length increases as the HR
decreases because of bead height increase.

Author Contributions: Conceptualization, J.H.P., M.C. and S.M.C.; methodology, M.C. and S.M.C.; investigation,
J.H.P. and M.C.; writing—original draft preparation, M.C.; writing – review and editing, M.C.; validation, J.H.P.
and M.C. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Funding: This research received no external funding.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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