Curious - Wire being sucked into weld

[malcolm]

I've been messing around with videos, and found a curious thing. In the video I've started a weld with far too much stick out and the end of the wire has fallen off.

The weird thing is as the weld continued this piece of wire was sucked back into the weld. Would that be due to surface tension of the steel?

Here's the video: http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/files/wire-sucked-into-weld.swf Keep an eye on the stray bit of wire.

 

[pedrobedro]

It looks magnetic.

 

[TechnicAl]

There is a magnetic field created around the arc. I guess you found it.

Looks a nice stable arc

 

[chunkolini]

I have seen that effect as well, quite strange to watch, I have wondered about videoing welding like this but never got round to it.

Chunko'.

 

[malcolm]

Cool - magnetism it is! It's an effect I'd not noticed before - might start trimming the wire before I start welding now

I've been messing around with a new camera aimed at a TIG tutorial - apparently the human eye can cope with 15 stops of light, but a camera only about 5 stops. That makes filming welds a complete pain.

 

[Sparkey]

Looks cool!!
I honestly say i've never paid attention to it, but i will now!!
Good find Malc!!