In this work, experiments were carried out to determine the fusion behavior of 1200 aluminum with an increase in the positive polarity time in the VP-GTAW of this metal. To achieve this objective, a set of experiments was developed, in such way that the electrical current intensity was the same in both the positive and negative polarity; only the lengths in each polarity were modified. During the experiments the acquisition of the current and voltage signals was performed. Through these it was possible to determine the arc voltage and power for each condition tested. In relation to the fusion behavior there was an increase in the weld depth and fusion zones when longer positive polarity times were used. This behavior differs from the literature relating to welding processes with non-consumable electrodes, which suggest a decrease in the weld depth with an increase in the positive polarity acting time. However, the increase noticed during the experiments occurs from a certain point, when the positive polarity time is longer than 4.0 ms over a total period of 20.0 ms. The use of a minimal electrode positive time (1.3 ms) was found to be sufficient to perform the oxide removal, yielding weld beads with satisfactory fusion characteristics and with minimal wear of the tungsten electrode. The good melt capacity obtained in the welds carried out with high positive polarity times, was attributed to phenomena related to the field emission of electrons which takes place in the current positive half cycles.
AC-GTAW; cathodic cleaning; thermionic emission; field emission
