Effects of Introducing a Rotating Electrode into Arc Welding Coatings

This work performed a comparative analysis of the Inconel 625 weld claddings deposited by the GMAW process and the GMAW with rotating electrode (GMAW-RE). Single-layer weld overlay claddings were deposited by both processes in the flat position using pulsed current with an average heat input of 2 kJ/mm. After welding, microstructural characterization performed by optical and scanning electron microscopy showed that the GMAW-RE process deposited a more homogeneous weld bead profile with lower penetration than the conventional GMAW process. The lower dilution induced an austenitic microstructure with a fraction of secondary phases lower than 2%, identified as Laves phase and MC carbides. The corrosion performance obtained from potentiostatic electrochemical tests revealed a critical pitting temperature for the GMAW-RE process of 66 degrees C compared to 50 degrees C provided by the GMAW Process. These results indicate that the GMAW-RE process has the potential to become an advantageous alternative to substitute the GMAW process in the industry.