Sensitivity model for prediction of bead geometry in underwater wet flux cored arc welding

To investigate influence of welding parameters on weld bead geometry in underwater wet flux cored arc welding （FCAW）, orthogonal experiments of underwater wet FCAW were conducted in the hyperbaric chamber at water depth from 0.2 m to 60 m and mathematical models were developed by multiple curvilinear regression method from the experimental data. Sensitivity analysis was then performed to predict the bead geometry and evaluate the influence of welding parameters. The results reveal that water depth has a greater influence on bead geometry than other welding parameters when welding at a water depth less than 10 m. At a water depth deeper than 10 m, a change in travel speed affects the bead geometry more strongly than other welding parameters.

Arc Characteristic and Metal Transfer of Pulse Current Horizontal Flux-Cored Arc Welding

In this work, we utilized high-speed video photography to investigate the arc characteristics, metal transfer behavior, and welding spatter of the pulse-current flux-cored arc welding (P-FCAW) process in the horizontal position. The results indicate the presence of a stable “flux pole” during both the pulse-on and pulse-off periods when the mean current ranged from 140 to 170 A. The existence of this “flux pole” was beneficial for droplet transfer in the “axial droplet transfer” mode. With respect to welding spatter, with an increase in the welding current, we observed three kinds of spatter—explosive spatter, rebounded droplet spatter, and scattering spatter. With an increase in the pulse current from 310.6 to 345.6 A, the deflection of the arc reduced from 30.4° to 16.6°, which positively influenced the arc rigidity, particularly in the horizontal position. © 2017, Tianjin University and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Experimental Investigation on the Performance of Armour Grade Q&T Steel Joints Fabricated by Flux Cored Arc Welding with Low Hydrogen Ferritic Consumables

Quenched and Tempered （Q＆T） steels are widely used in the construction of military vehicles due to its high strength to weight ratio and high hardness. These steels are prone to hydrogen induced cracking （HIC） and softening in the heat affected zone （HAZ） after welding. The use of austenitic stainless steel （ASS） consumables to weld the above steel was the only available remedy to avoid HIC because of higher solubility for hydrogen in austenitic phase. Recent studies revealed that low hydrogen ferritic （LHF） steel consumables can also be used to weld Q＆T steels, which can give very low hydrogen levels in the weld deposits and required resistance against cold cracking. Hence, in this investigation an attempt has been made to study the performance of armour grade Q＆T steel joints fabricated by flux cored arc welding with LHF steel consumables. Two different consumables namely （i） austenitic stainless steel and （ii） low hydrogen ferritic steel have been used to fabricate the joints by flux cored arc welding （FCAW） process. The joints fabricated by LHF consumable exhibited superior transverse tensile properties due to the presence of ferrite microstructure in weld metal. The joints fabricated by ASS consumable showed higher impact toughness due to the presence of austenitic phase in weld metal microstructure. The HAZ softening in coarse grain heat affected zone （CGHAZ） is less in the joints fabricated using LHF consumable due to the lower heat input involved during fabrication compared to the joints fabricated using ASS consumables.

Study on arc characteristics and behavior of metal transfer in pulse current flux-cored arc welding of mild steel

The variation in arc characteristics and behavior of metal transfer with the change in pulse parameters has been studied by high speed video camera during pulse current flux-cored arc weld deposition.A comparative study of similar nature has also been carried out during flux-cored arc weld deposition in globular and spray transfer modes.The effect of pulse parameters has been studied by considering their mean current and arc voltage.The arc characteristics studied by its root diameter,projected diameter and length,and the behavior of metal transfer noted by the metal transfer model and the droplet diameter have been found to vary significantly with the pulse parameters.The observation may help in understanding the arc characteristics with respect to the variation in pulse parameters which may be beneficial in using pulse current FCAW to produce desired weld quality.

Effect of oxygen-containing additives on weld penetration in self-shielded flux cored arc welding

The effect of Fe203 and Liz CO3 additives in flux core on the weld metal oxygen content and weld penetration in self-shielded flux cored arc welding were studied schematically. The result shows that the oxygen content in the weld metal and weld penetration both increased with the Fe203 addition increased in the range of 5 wt. % to 20 wt. %. The oxygen content in the weld metal was increased with the Li2CO3 addition increased in the range of 1 wt. % to 8 wt. %. However, the weld penetration decreased when Li2CO3 addition exceeding 4 wt. %. High-speed photographic images show that when Fe2O3 addition influx core exceeding 15 wt. %, droplet became excessively large, so that spatters were frequently generated in large numbers. In this study, Fe203 and Li2 CO3 in the amount of 11 wt. % and 4 wt. %, respectively, jointly added in the flux core can achieve a deeper weld penetration with sound usability characteristics.

Cold Cracking of Flux Cored Arc Welded Armour Grade High Strength Steel Weldments

In this investigation, an attempt has been made to study the influence of welding consumables on the factors that influence cold cracking of armour grade quenched and tempered （Q＆.T） steel welds. Flux cored arc welding （FCAW） process were used making welds using austenitic stainless steel （ASS） and low hydrogen ferritic steel （LHF） consumables. The diffusible hydrogen levels in the weld metal of the ASS and LHF consumables were determined by mercury method. Residual stresses were evaluated using X-ray stress analyzer and implant test was carried out to study the cold cracking of the welds. Results indicate that ASS welds offer a greater resistance to cold cracking of armour grade Q＆T steel welds.

Effects of process parameters on the depth-to-width ratio of flux-cored wire underwater wet welding

The effects of process parameters on the depth-to-width ratio （D/W） of flux-cored wire underwater wet welding with a certain type of homemade .flux-cored wire are studied. It is found that the welding .speed, wire feeding speed and torch oscillating amplitude hare significant effects on the dopth-to-width ratio （D/W） of welds. The D/W ratio of welds increases significantly with the increase of welding speed without the oscillating of welding torch. It increased （from 0. 14 to 0. 26 ） with the increase of wire feeding speed while the torch oscillating. And it decreased linearly with the increase of torch oscillating amplitude. However, the influelwe of oscillating speed, wire extension and welding voltage on the D/W ratio of welds was not obvious.

Formation Mechanism of Inclusion in Self-Shielded Flux Cored Arc Welds

The formation mechanism of inclusion in welds with different aluminum contents was determined based on thermodynamic equilibrium in self-shielded flux cored arc welds.Inclusions in welds were systematically studied by optical microscopy,scanning microscopy and image analyzer.The results show that the average size and the contamination rate of inclusions in low-aluminum weld are lower than those in high-aluminum weld.Highly faceted AlN inclusions with big size in the high-aluminum weld are more than those in low-aluminum weld.As a result,the low temperature impact toughness of low-aluminum weld is higher than that of high-aluminum weld.Finally,the thermodynamic analysis indicates that thermodynamic result agrees with the experimental data.

Droplet Transfer Behavior of Flux Cored Wire TIG Welding

This paper puts forward a new method to achieve flux cored wire TIG welding and uses high-speed photography to analyze the droplet transfer behavior and forces acting on the droplet. The droplet transfer forms include bridging transfer, slag column guided transfer, and non-contact transfer; each of these forms may be observed as the melting position of the welding wire changes. The important role of surface tension in the process of droplet transfer is proposed using static force balance theory and pinch instability theory. The phenomenon of droplet backward swing during welding process could be attributed to the vapor recoil force produced by vapors from the droplet. The welding experiments show that the proposed welding process is stable and that the weld quality produced is good.

EFFECT OF Fe_2O_3 ON WELDING TECHNOLOGY AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF WELD METAL DEPOSITED BY SELF-SHIELDED FLUX CORED WIRE

Five experimental self-shielded flux cored wires are fabricated withdifferent amount of Fe_2O_3 in the flux. The effect of Fe_2O_3 on welding technology and mechanicalproperties of weld metals deposited by these wires are studied. The results show that with theincrease of Fe_2O_3 in the mix, the melting point of the pretreated mix is increased. LiBaF_3 andBaFe_(12)O_(19), which are very low in inherent moisture, are formed after the pretreatment. Themechanical properties are evaluated to the weld metals. The low temperature notch toughness of theweld metals is increased linearly with the Fe_2O_3 content in the flux due to the balance betweenFe_2O_3 and residual Al in the weld metal. The optimum Fe_2O_3 content in flux is 2.5 percent approx3.5 percent.

STUDY ON METAL TRANSFER MODES OF SELF-SHIELDED FLUX-CORED WELDING WIRE

Metal transfer behavior of six kinds of self shielded flux cored wire(SSFCW) is studied using the apparatus of SSFCW high speed photography self made. Six kinds of metal transfer modes of SSFCW were obtained through observation for high speed photograph film and analysis. It is believed that the research is of magnificent for improving operative performance and mechanical properties of SSFCW and dynamics characteristic of welding power.

Research on the Mechanism of Penetration Increase by Flux in A-TIG Welding

The mechanism of penetration depth increased by activating flux in activating tungsten inert gas(A-TIG)weldingwas studied by measuring the distribution of trace element Bi in the weld and monitoring the change of arc voltageduring A-TIG welding of stainless steel 0Crl8Ni9 with fluxes SiO_(2)and TiO_(2).The results show that the mechanismof penetration depth in A-TIG welding depends on the sort of flux used.The weld pool convection after coating theflux SiO_(2)and flux TiO_(2)is changed inversely compared with convectional TIG welding without flux.The arc voltageis increased by flux SiO_(2)whilst flux TiO_(2)does not have effect on the arc voltage.The reason of penetration depthincrease for SiO_(2)is due to the constriction of arc plasma and the change of surface tension gradient.The increaseof weld penetration depth with TiO_(2)only ascribes to the change of surface tension gradient.

Effect of Submerged Arc Welding Flux Component on Softening Temperature

Based on simplex algorithm of optimal design, the multicomponent mixture regression model was used to investigate physical properties of submerged arc welding flux. The effect of complex interaction of seven components in agglomerated flux on softening temperature was analyzed. The results indicate that the interaction of MgO-TiO2-CaCOa-AI20a increases the softening temperature of flux, but the additions of CaF2 and ZrO2 can decrease the softening temperature.

Effect of activating flux on arc shape and arc voltage in tungsten inert gas welding

The effects of activating fluxes on welding arc were investigated. A special set of water-cooling system and stainless steel were used as parent material. During welding process, high-speed camera system and oscillograph were used for capturing instantaneous arc shape and arc voltage respectively. The experimental results indicate that the SiO2 flux can increase the arc voltage, while TiO2 has no this effect on arc voltage. Compared with conventional tungsten inert gas welding (C-TIG), it is found that the arc shape of A-TIG welding used with the SiO2 flux has changed obviously.

Investigation of the impact toughness of self- shielded flux- cored wire girth welds for X80 pipelines

Self-shielded flux-cored wire is a convenient and efficient consumable for pipeline field girth welding because of its self-protection characteristic and high deposition rate, especially for remote construction sites in rugged terrain. From the perspective of pipeline safety, the impact toughness of the girth welds is an important factor in pipeline integrity ,which determines the crack arrest behavior in the girth welds. Therefore, improving the girth weld impact toughness is of primary importance in the field of pipeline girth welding. Three self-shielded flux-cored wires comprising different chemical composition systems have been applied to large diameter X80 UOE （U-ing-O- ing-Expanding） pipeline semi-automatic girth welding,and the impact toughness of the welds has been evaluated by girth weld chemical composition analysis and microstructural analysis using scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and energy dispersive spectrometry （EDS） to investigate pipeline girth weld impact toughness and find ways to improve it. This helps in determining the main factors that influence girth weld impact toughness. Pipeline girth weld impact toughness is mainly determined by the final microstructure produced in the solid-state phase transition. In the as-weld state,acicular ferrite （AF） and fine bainite （FB） are a benefit to the impact toughness. For multilayer semiautomatic self-shielded flux-cored wire welding, the normalizing and tempering function of the latter beads to the initial beads plays an important role in the transition of girth weld microstructure, which affects the impact toughness. The original AF and FB and the corresponding heat treatment microstructure of the fine and uniform block ferrite and pearlite result in very good impact toughness. The following two mechanisms are found to promote the production of AF and FB in the girth weld. First, elements promoting the broadening of the austenitic region, such as Ni, C, Cu, and Mn, induce low temperature phase transitions and restrain the opposing function of Al, which is a benefit to the production of AF and FB. Second, dispersed high-melting-point inclusions, especially Al2O3 ,induce the nucleated production of AF. The advantageous function of inclusions is determined by their shape, distribution, and dimension. Dispersed spherical inclusions of small dimension are a benefit to the production of AF, and result in good impact toughness.

Weld formation and heating mechanism in ultra-narrow gap withconstricted arc by ultra-fine granular flux

Ultra-narrow gap welding （UNGW） process with high stabilization, reliability and without spatter can be achieved with constricted arc by molten slag wall, which is made from melted flux. The experiments are carried out by changing voltage under different currents. The results indicate voltage range being fit for UNGW is about 22 -31 V under the current range of 200 -320 A. With the increasing of voltage, weld formation of UNGW has the law of lack of fusion on sidewall, good weld and undercut in turn under a certain current. In addition, the action relationships among arc, molten slag wall and sidewalls can be improved by properly adjusting voltage and current of arc, which makes cathode spot properly distribute in ultra-narrow gap. Therefore, the effective control of weld formation of UNGW has been achieved.

Simulation of Weld Depth in A-TIG Welding with Unified Arc-electrode model

Calculations have been made for weld depths occurring for TIG welding activated by a flux over the surface of the weld pool. In this case, the flux introduces an electrically insulating layer over the outer regions of the weld pool surface. There is then an increase in the current density at the surface of the centre of the weld pool with a consequent increase in the J×B forces, which drive a strong convective flow of the molten metal downwards, tending to make a deep weld. For a flux which produces an insulating layer for all but a central region of radius 2 mm, the calculated weld depth is 7 mm, and an arc spot is predicted at the centre of the weld pool surface. As yet we have not resolved the reason for significant differences that exist between our measurements of weld depth and the theoretical predictions.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of E36 steel joint welded by underwater wet welding

The microstructure and mechanical properties of E36 steel joint welded by underwater welding using flux-cored wire are comprehensively investigated. The welding depth, welding current and welding voltage is 4 m, 130 A and 32 V, respectively. The weld metal is ferrite which varies in size, with carbide particles distributed on it, while the microstructure of HAZ is mixture of martensite of different size and some tempered structure. The microhardness of the weld metal is 190 HV. Almost all the tensile specimens fracture in weld metal and the average tensile strength of joint is 390 MPa, which is equal to 80% that of base metal. The tensile fracture morphology of joint presents obviously the characterization of brittle fracture, which displays the features of cleavage fracture and intergranular fracture.

Effect of welding processes and consumables on fatigue crack growth behaviour of armour grade quenched and tempered steel joints

Quenched and Tempered(Q&T) steels are widely used in the construction of military vehicles due to its high strength to weight ratio and high hardness. These steels are prone to hydrogen induced cracking(HIC) in the heat affected zone(HAZ) after welding. The use of austenitic stainless steel(ASS) consumables to weld the above steel was the only available remedy because of higher solubility for hydrogen in austenitic phase. The use of stainless steel consumables for a non-stainless steel base metal is not economical. Hence, alternate consumables for welding Q&T steels and their vulnerability to HIC need to be explored. Recent studies proved that low hydrogen ferritic steel(LHF) consumables can be used to weld Q&T steels, which can give very low hydrogen levels in the weld deposits. The use of ASS and LHF consumables will lead to distinct microstructures in their respective welds. This microstructural heterogeneity will have a drastic influence in the fatigue crack growth resistance of armour grade Q&T steel welds. Hence, in this investigation an attempt has been made to study the influence of welding consumables and welding processes on fatigue crack growth behaviour of armour grade Q&T Steel joints. Shielded metal arc welding(SMAW) and Flux cored arc welding(FCAW) were used for fabrication of joints using ASS and LHF consumables. The joints fabricated by SMAW process using LHF consumable exhibited superior fatigue crack growth resistance than all other joints.

Development of underwater wet welding experimental and divers training system

Compared to traditional welding methods, the underwater wet welding is special with many different characteristics due to the unique aqueous environment. It is conducted completely under water by divers and unique welding technology is required in the special operation environment. The operating levels of the divers are the key factor to acquire high quality welded joints. In this paper, an underwater wet welding experimental and divers training system is developed to serve divers training and conducting welding experiments. The system consists of life support system, signals real-time monitoring system and communicating system, etc. An underwater butt welding experiment based on welding electrodes is conducted, and the system works well. It proves that the system can guarantee divers welding safely and successfully and high quality weld seam is expected to be acquired.