Application of MIG Switch Back Welding to thin Titanium Welding

Titanium welding processes in MIG welding is not easy to weld due to the arc stability and shielding gas of 100% Ar. The authors tried to take arc welding phenomena by a high speed camera to get the stable metal transfer. The optimum welding conditions were found. Since the thickness of the thin sheet material is 1mm, the heat input must be reduced in conventional welding. But the resultant bead winded along the welding line due to a high speed welding and winding of arc. To improve this situation, it is required that the amounts of the deposited metal are increased. If the amount of the deposited metal depending on the heat input is increased, the burn through takes place. The authors thus employed the switch back welding method for this titanium thin sheet welding. The suitability of the welding conditions was verified by observation of the arc, the weld pool and the external appearance of back beads.