Methods for the determination of arc stability

The article describes several methods for the determination of arc stability in MAG/MIG welding. The stability of the welding process is affected by numerous parameters. The most unfavourable results of poor arc stability are spatters which are problematic in terms of material losses, extension of production times due to cleaning, as well as unaesthetic appearance. The methods described in the paper are based on measurement of time-varying welding current and welding voltage. The results of the experimental part of the paper are based on stability analyses carried out with different gas-shielding atmospheres. Also two different welding regimes were compared. The first was short-circuit material transfer, and the second spraying material transfer.