Abstract: By means of software ABAQUS, a hybrid heating model coupled by a Gaussian face heat source and cylindrical volume heat source is established to analysis characteristics of welding-induced temperature distribution during the process of the flux band constrained arc T-joint welding. The thermal contact conductance between the fixture and work piece has been taken into account emphatically in the model during simulation. By comparing results from simulation with those from experiments, it is found that weld morphology and thermal cycle curves of each testing point in welding are basically consistent with experimental results. Thus, it is verified that the hybrid heat source model utilized in finite element analyses is feasible and effective to predict the temperature field of the flux band constrained arc T-joint welding. In the study of temperature field distribution of the T-joint, it is also found that the temperature distribution in panel plate and core plate of the simulated T-joint becomes uniform in direction of plate thickness. In the analysis of the thermal cycle curves, it is further found that the fixture plays an apparent role in cooling stage of the workpiece. The range of welding HAZ is then predicted numerically further in this case. The predicted results are consistent with our experimental ones.

Key words: T-joint, thermal contact conductance, temperature field, HAZ, flux band constrained arc welding, BS960 high strength steel