EFFECT OF SAW PARAMETERS AND FLUX DASICITY ON WELD METAL CHEMISTRY

Abstract

The element transfer and weld metal chemistry are controlled by welding variables and type of flux being used in submerged arc welding. Further, Gas/Metal and Slag/Metal reactions which are responsible for typical weld chemistry are also governed by the chemical nature of the flux and operating variables. Investigations have been carried out to study the influence of welding parameters such as welding current and voltage and the flux basicity on the weld metal chemistry. Beads on plates have been deposited under different welding condition with five fluxes. Chemical analysis of weld metal for manganese, silicon, carbon and sulphur contents has been carried out in addition to the weld dilution studies. It is revealed that the welding parameters are having appreciable influence on weld metal chemistry. With the increase in the welding voltage and current, silicon and manganese contents have decreasing trend in weld metal while carbon and sulphur contents are having increasing trend. The flux basicity influences the silicon content in the weld metal appreciably. However, manganese, carbon and sulphur contents do not seem to be appreciably influenced by the flux basicity. On the basis of weld dilution studies it has been further found that silicon is always gained in the weld metal while manganese, carbon and sulphur are lost within the range of investigations.