Comparison of Operational Performance and Bead Characteristics when Welding with Different Tubular Wires

This paper compares the bead characteristics of welds deposited of carbon steel tubular wires. Three tubular wires of 1.2 mm produced in Brazil were used: rutilic (ASME SFA-5.20: E71T-1/E7 1T-9/E71T-9M), basic (ASME SFA-5.20: E71T-5/E71T-5M) and metal cored (ASME SFA-5.18: E70C-3M). Welding trials were performed in downhand position on thick (12 mm) low-carbon steel plates using a constant voltage power supply. Welding current and voltage, and wire feed rate were monitored in all trials. For each tubular wire type, the shielding gas composition (75%Ar-25%CO2 and 100%CO2) and wire feed rate (7 and 9 m/min) were changed, and other process variables, including electrode polarity (CC+), electrode and arc lengths (16 mm and 3.5 mm, respectively) were kept constant throughout the experimental program. Weld bead geometry parameters (penetration depth, reinforcement, width, fused and deposited areas, and weld dilution), presence of weld discontinuities, fusion zone microstructure and hardness were, measured and compared for the different tubular wires. Operational conditions that yielded weld bead characteristics favored for the welding of thick plates of structural steels were determined.