This　study　introduces　a　novel　vector　gas　regulated　plasma　arc　welding　technique　incorporating　four　auxiliary　gas　channels　integrated　within　the　water-cooled　nozzle.　Four　different　forms　plasma　arcs　were　generated　by　introducing　four,　three,　two　or　none　gas　streams　through　the　auxiliary　channels　respectively.　Experimental　and　simulation　methods　were　used　to　compare　arc　pressure,　arc　temperature　characteristics　for　different　arc　types　respectively.　It　was　found　that　auxiliary　gases　can　adjust　the　arc　pressure　and　temperature　field　distribution　on　workpiece.　In　comparison　to　conventional　plasma　arc　welding,　the　novel　PAW　can　enhance　the　plasma　arc　penetration　and　adjust　the　thermal　and　force　distribution.　It　offers　increased　welding　efficiency　and　adaptability　to　diverse　conditions,　has　a　significant　application　potential　in　plasma　arc　welding　technology.　©　2024