Finite element study of residual stresses and distortions in arc welding with a trailing liquid nitrogen heat sink

TLDR: In this paper, the effect of LN2 heat sink on arc welding of mild steel plates is studied using experimental and numerical methods using X-ray diffraction technique and dial gauges.

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of trailing liquid nitrogen (LN2) heat sink on arc welding of mild steel plates. The effect on temperature field, stress and distortions are studied using experimental and numerical methods.Design/methodology/approach – The methodology consists of experimental and numerical methods. The temperature measured at a point near the arc is used to estimate the cooling capacity of the heat sink using inverse heat transfer (IHT) method. The estimated cooling flux is applied to the finite element model to study the stress and distortions using LN2 heat sink. The stresses are measured using X‐ray diffraction technique and the distortions using dial gauges.Findings – IHT method has been employed in estimating the cooling capacity of the LN2 jet. This has been applied to welding to study the effect on weld induced stresses and distortions. The method can be extended to calculate the heat removal rate in various manufacturing processes where cooling is employe...