Metal-inert gas welding is an important welding process but the process instability easily induces spatter and undercut defects. To improve the welding process stability, a new hybrid arc welding process, named KTIG–MIG, was proposed in this paper. Arc characteristics were preliminarily studied. It is found that in KTIG–MIG hybrid welding, MIG arc is stable even it is shielded with pure argon gas; stable spray transfer is easily achieved in a much wider process window, especially the lowest voltage to achieve spray transfer is greatly reduced; KTIG arc voltage decreases than that in single KTIG arc, and MIG arc current is higher than the pre-set value. Cooling state of the KTIG tungsten plays a key role in slowing tungsten erosion.
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