Technology and Equipment for Plasma Electric Arc Granulation of Fused Welding Flux

Abstract

The article outlines the main principles of granulation technology for fused welding flux using highly concentrated heat sources (e.g. plasma arc). Modern plasma equipment and methods of its use for producing new welding materials (plasma-granulated welding flux) from mineral raw materials and synthetic mineral alloys are described. The developed technology makes it possible to produce granulated flux in a wide range of fractional composition (from 0.2 to 3 mm). Studies have focused on the influence of granulation regimes (plasmatron moving speed, current, voltage, arc length) on formation process and the morphology of welding flux particles. Mineral raw materials used for granulation were igneous rocks (basalt, hornblendite) and synthetic mineral alloys. The results obtained during experiments on the use of highly concentrated heat sources for granulation of a fused welding flux confirm the feasibility and prospects of this technology. Typical equipment for air-plasma cutting is used, and no new complex technological equipment is required, therefore it eliminates large material and labor costs.