IV C on g re s s o Na c i o na l d e E n ge n ha r ia M ecâ ni ca

22 a 25 d e A go s to 2 006 , R ec if e-P E

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE METAL TRANSFER DURING GMAW

WITH THERMAL PULSATION

Sérgio Rodrigues Barra1

Carlos Eduardo Aguiar Lima Rodrigues2
Augusto José de Almeida Buschinelli3
barra@cimatec.fieb.org.br
1
Integrated Center of Manufacture and Technology – SENAI Cimatec
Av. Orlando Gomes, 1845 – Piatã. CEP: 41650-010. Salvador – Bahia - Brazil
2
Federal University of Uberândia – Laprosolda / UFU
Campus Santa Mônica. Bloco 10. CEP: 38.400-902. Uberlândia – MG – Brazil
3
Federal University of Sanata Catarina – Labsolda / UFSC
Campus Universitário da Trindade. Caixa postal – 476. CEP: 88040-900. Florianópolis – Santa
Catarina – Brazil

Resumo. This work evaluates the influence of thermal GMAW on the stability of the electric arc,
the maintenance of the condition one drop per pulse (ODFP) and the weld pool stirring. Low
carbon steel, Al-Mg alloy, AWS ER 70S-6 and AWS ER 5356 were adopted as base metal and
consumable, respectively. Electronic power source, system of acquisition of welding signals (arc’s
voltage, current and wire feeding speed) and synchronized shadowgraphy were used. The results
show that, depending on the alloy and on the adopted operational package, the use of the thermal
pulsation affects the ODFP condition, dephases the current wave and feeding electrode wave
signals, vary cyclically the value of thearc’s length and increase the weld pool stirring, when
compared to the conventional pulsation process.

Palavras-chave: Thermal GMAW, thermal pulsation, electric arc, metal transfer

1. INTRODUCTION

The use of the thermal pulsation in GMAW process was introduced in Brazil in the middle of
the 90s (Dutra et al, 1995; Barra, 1998), despite literature already makes citation of this variant in
the end of the 80s (Street, 1990).
The process of thermal pulsation, taking into account the characteristics of the current pulse of
the velocity of wire feeding, will be able to present, basically, two configurations in the operational
package (Barra, 2003; Yamamoto et al, 1998; Dutra et al, 1995; Street, 1990). In the first wave form
(see Fig. 1a) the cyclical change of the frequency of the current pulses and of the wire feeding speed
is applied in a synchronized way, ranging from of 0,5 to 10 Hz, as a way to guarantee the
maintenance of the arc’s length (Barra, 2003). The second form wave (Fig. 1b) is different from the
previous one for the fact that the fixed wire feeding speed is kept in an intermediate level (Barra and
Buschinelli, 2004; Barra, 2003; Yamamoto, 1998).
Therefore, it is evident in Fig. 1 that thermal GMAW must be aligned to the advantages of
welding using conventional pulsed GMAW with the advantages of the pulsed TIG welding (thermal
TIG). However, the real advantages of the variables are still not well documented as much
 IV Congresso Nacional de Engenharia Mecânica, 22 a 25 de Agosto 2006, Recife-PE

in the process (physical of the arc) as in the metallurgic field (phase of transformation and structural
refining).

Velocidade do arame
Velocidade arame

Modulação do sinal da unidade

de alimentação de arame
Sinal da unidade
Alta energia de alimentação de arame constante
Tempo
Tempo

Corrente
Corrente

Baixa energia

Impt
Im pt
Imbt
Imbt

Impt - corrente média no pulso térmico

Modulação do sinal da unidade de pulso Imbt - corrente média na base térmica
Im pt - corrente média no pulso térmico Tempo Tempo
Im bt - corrente média na base térmica
(b)
(a)

Figure 1. The GMAW variant. In (a) wave I - synchronized modulation of energy and wire feed
speed and in (b) wave II - modulation only in the energy. Notice the behavior of the Arc’s length
(ll0).

Additionally, the recent insertion of this variable as a new option of welding process creates a
literature of nonsense in the standard form that represents it. Specifications as GMAW doubly
pulsed, GMAW with thermal pulsation, GMAW pulsed with thermal pulsation, thermal GMAW or
even interpulse, have been adopted by different authors (Barra, 2003; Yamamoto, 1998; Dutra et al,
1995; Street, 1990). Detailed information about the operational and metallurgic characteristics of
the thermal pulsation, as well as proposals for standardization of the intrinsic parameters of the
variable, are presented by Barra (2003).

2. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

As the research aims to evaluate the possible advantages and limitations of the thermal
pulsation, in relation to the conventional pulsation to the stability of the electric arc area and to the
weld pool stirring, two forms of thermal pulsation waves were adopted, having one conventional
pulsation wave as reference (see Fig. 2). The first form of thermal pulsation wave (Fig. 2b), called
wave I, is characterized by the synchronized modulation of the frequency of current pulsation and
of the wire feeding speed. The second form of thermal pulsation adapted wave (Fig. 2c), called
wave II, presents only modulation in the signal of current pulsation, keeping the feeding value of
the wire in an intermediate level.
The supervision of the characteristics of the thermal pulsation waves was done with the
immediate register of the source output signals (current – I, arc’s voltage – U and wire feeding
speed - va ) and the high speed filming of the arc area behavior.
In the first phase, oscillograms, containing signals of I, U and va, were obtained, via A/D
converter, for all the conditions tested (see Fig. 2). In addition, this phase aimed to generate a
database containing the behavior of the conventional pulsation waves and the waves I and II in
different experimental conditions.
The second phase, using the shadowgraphy technique, aimed to evaluate possible differences in
the arc’s length, in the existence of instability in the ODFP conditions, and in the interfaces
(passages) of the thermal pulse (pt) to the thermal base (bt) and vice-versa.
Four packages of thermal pulsation were chosen (with values set at intervals of average current
Im and va) with the objective to evaluate the two forms of waves proposed (wave I and wave II), in
the welding of different alloys (low carbon steel and Al-Mg). The Table 1 relates the packages used
 IV Congresso Nacional de Engenharia Mecânica, 22 a 25 de Agosto 2006, Recife-PE

in the evaluation of the thermal pulsation possible effects. More detailed information about the
deposition conditions can be got in Barra (2003).

300 300 300

250 250
Thermal pulse 250
Thermal base
200 200 200

Corrente (A)

Corrente (A)
Corrente (A)

150 150 150

100 100 100

50 50 50

0 0 0
300 600 900 0 250 500 750 1000 0 250 500 750 1000

Tempo (ms) Tempo (ms) Tempo (ms)

40 40 40

30 30 30

Tensão (V)
Tensão (V)
Tensão (V)

20 20 20

10 10 10

0 0 0
300 600 900 0 250 500 750 1000 0 250 500 750 1000

Tempo (ms) Tempo (ms) Tempo (ms)

10 10 10

Velocidade arame (m/min)

Velocidade arame (m/min)
Velocidade arame (m/min)

5 5 5

0 0 0
300 600 900 0 250 500 750 1000 0 250 500 750 1000
Tempo (ms) Tempo (ms) Tempo (ms)

(a) (b) (c)

Figure 2. Oscillograms containing the synchronized signals of I, U and va (Al-Mg alloy). Where: (a)
conventional pulse, (b) wave I e (c) wave II.

Table 1. The packages used in the evaluation of the stability of the thermal pulsation process.

Wave Alloy Thermal pulse Thermal base

va-pt = 7 m/min e Impt = 212 A va-bt = 3 m/min e Imbt = 119 A
Low carbon steel
vs = 25 cm/min, DBCP = 18 mm e Imt = 188 A
Wave I
va-pt = 7 m/min e Impt = 117 A va-bt = 4 m/min e Imbt = 67 A
Al-Mg
vs = 25 cm/min, DBCP = 18 mm e Imt = 94 A
va-pt = 5 m/min e Impt = 212 A va-bt = 5 m/min e Imbt = 119 A
Low carbon steel
vs = 25 cm/min, DBCP = 18 mm e Imt = 188 A
Wave II
va-pt = 5,5 m/min e Impt = 117 A va-bt = 5,5 m/min e Imbt = 67 A
Al-Mg
vs = 25 cm/min, DBCP = 18 mm e Imt = 94 A
Where: DBCP represents the distance between the contact tube to the piece and Impt, Imbt, va-pt and va-bt are the average
current and the wire feeding speed in the thermal pulse and in the thermal base, respectively.

2.1. Procedure for filming in high speed (shadowgraphy)

a) Formation of the image (shade)

For the filming (visualization) of the metallic transference process, it is necessary to reduce the
light generated in the arc’s area by means of a selective filtering that allows only the light in the
 IV Congresso Nacional de Engenharia Mecânica, 22 a 25 de Agosto 2006, Recife-PE

same wave length of the laser. As the welding torch is located between the laser source and the lens
of the camera, a record of the shade generated by the wire, the drop and the weld pool will be made
(see Fig. 3 and 4). Details about the synchronization of the I and U signals with the "synchronized
shadowgraphy" image technique may be obtained in Vilarinho et al. (2000).

(a) (b) (c)

Figure 3. Details of the testing bench apparatus of laser shadowgraphy: (a) laser source and optic
set; (b) Form of deposition and (c) camera and monitorial set.

(a) (b)

Figure 4. Shade generated by laser beam (a) and metal transfer picture in arc region (b).

b) Measuring and synchronization of the signals of the camera’s voltage with the signals of I,
U and va

For the precise determination of which image (picture) would accurately correspond to one
definite point in the waves of arc’s voltage and current, a software to capture and synchronize the
signals was used (Vilarinho et al., 2000). After the synchronization is done, the program generates
oscillograms of the I, U values with their respective numbers in the pictures, Fig. 5. Thus, the
picture (digital image) corresponds to one definite wave point, which will be identified by its
written number. The conditions used in the signals survey were: Acquisition in 12 bit and 10 kHz;
time of acquisition 5 s, camera shutter release tax of 2000 pictures and exposure of 1/20000.

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

3.1. Variation in the value of the arc’s length (ll0)

The use of the conventional pulse, following the basic premises of ODFP, Txa = Txf (equality
between the fusion tax and the feeding tax) and a value of base current, necessary to the
maintenance of the arc, does not induce the significant variation in the arc’s length (ll0) in none of
the studied alloys.
In the form of wave I, the value of l0 does not present, in general, a significant variation
between the phases of thermal pulse (pt) and thermal base (bt), making a steady arc’s region. This
 IV Congresso Nacional de Engenharia Mecânica, 22 a 25 de Agosto 2006, Recife-PE

characteristic is related mainly to the imposition of the synchronized modulation between the
signals of average current (Im) and the wire feed speed (va), to the related phases (see left side of
Fig. 6). However, because of the differences normally presented in the dynamics (inertia) of the
signals of current (dI/dt) and in the wire feeding speed (dva/dt), a small variation of l0 in the
interfaces pt/bt and bt/pt may occur.

Oscillograms with the synchronized signals (full line – I and U and dotted line – image) Referring picture * (red dotted line)
300

250
I (A ) e S inal C âmera

200

150
10

100 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26

50

0 2 4 6 8 10 12
-3
T e m p o [s ] x 10
18
45

40 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26

35
U (V) e Sinal C âmera

30

25
20

20

15

10
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
-3
T e m p o [s ] x 10

24
Comment: ODFP condition is seen and that the detachment is carried through in the final third of the current pulse (image 20).
* The acquired pictures are turned of 90° in the counter clockwise direction.

Figure 5. Example of shadowgraphy technique. The establishment of the ODFP condition is seen
jointly with weld pool undulation (Al-Mg alloy).

As the inertia in the wire feeding (dva/dt) is greater than in the current signal (dI/dt), a small
instability in the initial instants of each phase (pt and bt) is seen. At the beginning of the thermal
base phase, there is a slight increase in the projection of the wire (ll), because of the fast change in
the value of the average current (interface between Impt and Imbt), while the variation in the va
value is relatively slower (interface between va-pt and va-bt). In the case of the interface from bt/pt,
in the beginning of the thermal pulse phase, the shown mechanism is inverted. In these interfaces,
the signal (oscillogram) of va presents a peak in the initial instants of each phase, as a result of the
inertia of the wire feeding system used (see Fig. 2(b)).
Good to mention that the intensity of this form of instability in the transition between the phases
(variation in l0) will be related to the intensity of the instant loss of condition Txf = Txa, which
causes a variation in the projection of the wire in relation to the contact tube (variation in stickout -
l).
Because of the apparent stability presented in the arc’s region, the wave I does not show limits
in its used field and, because of the maintenance in l0 (U ≈ constant), alterations in the superficial
aspect (scales), in the weld bead geometry (penetration, reinforcement and width), in the
microstructure of the fusion zone, and in the interval of one thermal period (Tt = tbt + tpt), will be
generated, in principle, only by signals modulation of the Im and va.
 IV Congresso Nacional de Engenharia Mecânica, 22 a 25 de Agosto 2006, Recife-PE

Behavior of l0 – Wave I Behavior of l0 – Wave II

(a) Thermal base (low carbon steel) (b) Thermal base (low carbon steel)
A B C A B C

(c) Thermal base (Al-Mg alloy) (d) Thermal base (Al-Mg alloy)
A B C A B C

300
D E F

250
A B C

200
Illustrative oscillogram of the wave of
Corrente (A)

150
current (I)
(localization of the images)
100

50

300 600 900 1200 1500

Tempo (ms)

40 40

Oscillogram of U – Wave I Oscillogram of U – Wave II

30 30
Tensão (V)
Tensão (V)

20
20

10
10

0
200 300 400 500 600 700 800
0
300 600 900 1200 1500
Al-Mg alloy Tempo (ms)
Al-Mg alloy
Tempo (ms) 40
40

30
30
Tensão (V)
Tensão (V)

20
20

10
10

0
0 300 450 600 750 900 1050
400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600
Tempo (ms)
Tempo (ms) Low Carbon steel Low carbon steel
(a) Thermal pulse (low carbon steel) (b) Thermal pulse (low carbon steel)
D E F D E F

(c) Thermal pulse (Al-Mg alloy) (d) Thermal pulse (liga Al-Mg alloy)
D E F D E F

Figure 6. Behavior of the arc’s length (ll0) according to the material and to the form of pulsation
wave.

For the form of wave II, the variation in l0 occurs during all thermal period (Tt), generating
instability in the arc’s region. As the wire feeding speed is kept constantly and the current signal
varies periodically, between Impt and Imbt, there will be predominantly loss in Txf =Txa condition.
 IV Congresso Nacional de Engenharia Mecânica, 22 a 25 de Agosto 2006, Recife-PE

Thus, for the thermal base phase, as Txf<Txa, the value of l0 will decrease causing a continuous
increase in the projection of the wire (ll) and making the short circuit possible to occur. On the other
hand, in pt, as Txf >Txa, l0 will increase, causing the reduction in l and making the fusing of the
wire with the contact tube possible, see right side of Fig. 5.
The experimental results demonstrated that the adjustment in wave II is more complex
compared to the form of wave I and that its range of operation – adopted relations for Imbt x tbt and
Impt x tpt – will be limited, on one side, by the possibility of short circuit (ll0 = 0) and, on the other,
by the fusing of the wire with the contact tube (ll= 0). Generically, for that it does not occur, the
value of tbt will have to be reduced and always lower than the value of tpt and, for the used value for
tpt, the concern will be to prevent the fusing of the wire with the contact tube (extreme value of l0).
As wave II is characterized by the cyclical change in the l0 value, the instability presented in
the arc’s region will be the function of the combination of the effects generated by the loss in the
Txf =Txa and by the variation in the value of the arc’s voltage (cyclical variation in U). Therefore,
alterations in the way of metal transferring, in the superficial aspect (scales), in the weld bead
geometry (penetration, reinforcement and width) and in the microstructure of the fusion zone,
during a thermal period (Tt), will be originated by the variation, complexity and combination of the
values of Im, U and l (Joule effect).

3.2. Loss of the condition of one drop transferred per pulse (ODFP)

In the form of wave I, in the implemented experimental conditions, it was observed that the
possibility of loss of ODFP condition is most likely to occur at the beginning of the thermal base
phase. This characteristic demonstrates a connection with the "thermal inertia" left by the thermal
pulse phase. Probably, the wire initiates the bt hot and, as a consequence, it promotes conditions for
the release of more than one drop, in the initial pulses, until the phase (bt) starts the regime (see Fig.
7). At this point, it is important to emphasize that this effect was seen only in the most resistant
material (low carbon steel). In the less resistant material, Al-Mg alloy, ODFP was kept and the only
noticed variation was the occurrence of a small increase in the diameter of the drop in the tip of the
wire in the beginning of bt.
In the form of wave II, the cyclical variation in the value of the wire projection (ll), caused by
the imposition of a fixed value of va and of the modulation in Im, causes a variation in the part of
heat generated in the wire, by Joule effect (see Eq. 1). In this condition, it is expected that the
oscillation of the heat produced by Joule effect influences the instability of the ODFP condition,
mainly in the welding of materials with high resistivity.

Txf = α.I+β
β.ll.I2 (1)

Where:
I - current of welding;
l - projection of the wire in relation to the contact tube (stickout);
α - constant characterizing anode reactions and presents relation with the type of gas, electrode and polarity;
β - constant associated with the resistive heating of the electrode.

The experimental observations demonstrated that in the form of wave II, because of the cyclical
variation in l value, for materials with large electric resistance, in the thermal base as well as in the
thermal pulse, the appearance of three distinct regions of the drops detachment may occur, or either:

Region 1 (high values of l0 and U and low value of l)
In the end of the thermal pulse and in the beginning of the thermal base, where l presents the
lower value, the drop will be detached with an irregular form and with bigger diameter than the
diameter of the electrode (wire), after the occurrence of more than a current pulse. For details
see points A and F, in the right side of the Fig. 8 and Fig. 9;
 IV Congresso Nacional de Engenharia Mecânica, 22 a 25 de Agosto 2006, Recife-PE

Region 2 (intermediate values of l0, U e l)

In the intermediate part of the thermal pulse and the thermal base, the drop will be detached
with a regular form and equal diameter to the one of the electrode, after the occurrence of a
current pulse (ODFP maintenance). For details see points B and E, in the right side of Fig. 8;

Region 3 (low values of l0, U and high value of l)
In the final part of the thermal base and in the initial of the thermal pulse, more than one drop
will be detached with regular forms, but with different diameters, after the imposition of one
current pulse. For details see points C and F, in the right side of Fig. 8.

In the welding of the Al-Mg alloy, using the form of wave II, it was not verified the loss of
ODFP condition, during all the thermal period (Tt). It was only noticed the variation in the form
and the diameter of the drop in the interface pt/bt, and a tendency for the neck in thermal pulse
phase to get longer (see left side of Fig. 8).

Possibility of loss of ODFP condition (Wave I - Beginning of the thermal base (region A))
(a) Low carbon steel (b) Al-Mg alloy
269 275 279 2186 2195 2197

350
250
F in al do Fin al do
P rimeiro pu lso
p ulso térmico pu lso térmico
da base térmica
300
P rimeiro pu lso
200
da base térmica
250

200 150

S inal
d a câmera
150
100 2160 2170 2180 2190 2200

100 230 240 250 260 270 280

50
50

0.115 0.125 0.135 0.145 1.08 1.085 1.09 1.095 1.1

Figure 7. Effect of wave I on ODFP. In (a) loss of ODFP (high wire electric resistivity) and (b)
ODFP maintenance (low wire electric resistivity).

Possibility of loss of ODFP condition during Tt – Wave II

(a) Thermal base – Al-Mg alloy (a) Thermal base – Low carbon steel
A B C A B C

250 400

D E F
350
D E F
200 A B C
A B C 300

250
Corrente (A)
Corrente (A)

150

200

100 150

100
50
50

0 0
200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 300 450 600 750 900 1050

Tempo (ms) Tempo (ms)

(a) Thermal pulse – Al-Mg alloy (b) Thermal pulse – Low carbon steel
D E F D E F

Figure 8. Instability in ODFP condition, caused by the variation in l and resistivity (material type).
 IV Congresso Nacional de Engenharia Mecânica, 22 a 25 de Agosto 2006, Recife-PE

Low carbon steel

Loss of ODFP in thermal pulse phase (Wave II)
End of first pulse Begin of second pulse End of second pulse Detachment still in base current

Figure 9. Drop presenting great diameter and detachment after multiple current pulses (detachment
absence after some pulses - loss of ODFP).

3.3. Weld pool stirring

The use of the conventional pulsation produces a constant agitation in the weld pool. For the
thermal pulsation, it is noticed the occurrence of different degrees of stirring in the pool, between
the pt and bt phases.
It is necessary to evaluate "how" and "how much" the thermal pulsation may affect the level of
agitation of the weld pool, once this instability in the liquid metal may generate differences in the
geometry of the weld bead and in the microstructure in the fusion zone.
Figure 10 illustrates, for wave I, the difference generated in the level of agitation of the weld
pool. Notice that the instability of the pool will be bigger in the thermal pulse (see the undulation
difference of the pool).

Stirring in weld pool – Wave I (Al-Mg alloy)

Thermal base (region B)
Middle of tp Interface of tp with tb Middle of tb End of tb

Thermal pulse (Region E)

Middle of tp Interface of tp with tb Middle of tb End of tb

Undulation in
Ondulação
weld pool
na poça

Figure 10. Agitation difference in weld pool (superior pictures – low agitation in thermal base;
inferior pictures – high agitation in thermal pulse).

In the form of wave I, because of the modulation in the values of Im and va, it is supposed that
many factors contributed for the difference in the weld pool stirring, that is, the turbulence in the
pool will vary according to the change in the values of the electromagnetic force (Fem), the force
due to superficial tension gradient (Fγ), the force due to convection in the liquid flow (buoyancy -
Fb), pressure of the arc (Fpa), and frequency of detachment of the drops, between the pt and bt
phases.
For the form of wave II, the operating mechanisms demonstrated a bigger complexity. Besides
the described variation above, there will be, still, the effect produced by the cyclical change in the
values of the welding voltage (U), of the projection of the wire (ll) and of the distance of
detachment of the drop (variation in the length of the arc – l0).

4. CONCLUSION

In the adopted experimental conditions, the results make you infer that:
 IV Congresso Nacional de Engenharia Mecânica, 22 a 25 de Agosto 2006, Recife-PE

a) The maintenance in the value of the arc’s length (ll0) will depend on the type of adopted thermal
wave;
b) In the form of wave I, the loss of ODFP condition may occur in the beginning of the thermal
base (combination of "thermal inertia" and resistivity). For the form of wave II, the ODFP
maintenance is more complex because of the cyclical variation in l0;
c) In comparison to the conventional pulse, the use of thermal GMAW modifies the level of
agitation in the weld pool.

5. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Professor Américo Scotti of Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU) is thanked for fruitful
discussions. CNPq and CAPES for financial support. The welding teams of welding laboratories of
UFSC and UFU are gratefully acknowledged for helping with welding experiments.

6. REFERENCES

Barra, S. R. e Buschinelli, A. J., 2004, “MIG/MAG Térmico: Efeito da Distância Entre Pulsos,
Corrente Média Total e Desnível Térmico”, Anais do III Congresso Nacional de Engenharia
Mecânica, Belém, Brasil.
Barra, S. R., 1998, “Influência dos Procedimentos de Soldagem sobre a Resistência à Cavitação de
Depósitos Obtidos com a Utilização de Arames Tubulares de Aços Inoxidáveis Ligados ao
Cobalto”, Dissertação de Mestrado – Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia Mecânica,
UFSC, Florianópolis, Brasil, pp. 1-132.
Barra, S. R., 2003, “Influência do Processo MIG/MAG Térmico Sobre a Microestrutura e a
Geometria da Zona Fundida”, Tese de Doutorado – Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia
Mecânica, UFSC, Florianópolis, Brasil, pp. 1-209.
Dutra, J. et al., 1995, “O Processo MIG/MAG Pulsado com Pulsação Térmica”, Anais do XXI
ENTS, Caxias do Sul, Brasil, pp. 889-902.
Street, J. A., 1990, “Pulsed Arc Welding”, Abington Publishing Special Report, Cambridge.
England, pp. 1-57.
Vilarinho et al., 2000, “Development of an Experimental Technique for Studying Metal Transfer in
Welding: Synchronized Shadowgraphy”, The Int. Journal for Joining of Materials, Vol. 12, No.
1, JOM, Denmark, pp.1-12.
Yamamoto, H. et al., 1998, “MIG Welding of Aluminum – Process and Power Source”, IIW Doc.
XII-1433-98.

5. RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE INFORMATION

The authors are the only responsible for the printed material included in this paper.