Analysis of the mechanical properties and penetration depth of gas metal arc welding on AISI 304 stainless steel

Abstract

The microstructure, penetration depth and mechanical properties of gas metal arc weldments of AISI 304 stainless steel were investigated within a process window. 9 weldments were produced using Taguchi L9 orthogonal array technique. Well bonded, crack-and pore-free weld joints were obtainable at wire feed rate of 66-96 mm/s, voltage of 19-25 V and welding speed of 5.0-9.6 mm/s. The weld joint hardness (305-395 HV) decreased with increasing the heat energy input. However, weld penetration depth (2.67-4.86 mm) increased as the heat energy input increased. Full weld penetration was achieved at heat energy value of 519 J/mm. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) first increased with increasing the heat energy input until an optimum value of 765 ± 12 MPa was obtained at 519 J/mm after which there was a decline. The weld penetration of the joints is adjudged to play a significant role on the UTS of the weldments.

Review of post-processing methods for high-quality wire arc additive manufacturing

“…The melt through depth has been discovered to reduce largely as the traverse speed increases, as shown in Figure 9(a). [51,60]. However, the melt through depth increases with the increase in current (see Figure 9(b)).…”

“…The microstructure and mechanical properties of wire arc additively manufactured components are largely influenced by the amount of the heat input. This is due to the fact that AM processes involve complex cyclic thermal history as the materials undergo different melting and solidification rates at different positions and stages of the process [60,61]. The heat energy input which is mainly determined by the process parameters affects the thermal gradient, nucleation, and grain growth rates.…”

Effects of post-weld heat treatments on the microstructure, mechanical and corrosion properties of gas metal arc welded 304 stainless steel

“…The joining is often done using different welding techniques, including arc, resistance, laser and electron beam welding techniques (Ahire et al, 2018). Though advanced welding techniques such as laser welding and friction stir welding are now being used for joining steels and other metals, gas metal arc welding (GMAW) and gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) are preferred for welding thick sections of hard metals in civil construction, ship building and some pipelines construction (Abioye et al, 2019a). Compared with the aforementioned advanced welding techniques, joining thick components with GMAW and GTAW is cheaper and more flexible.…”