Investigation Mechanical Properties of Weld Zone High Strength AH32 Shipbuilding Steel Joined by Shielded Metal Arc, Gas Metal Arc and Submerged Arc Welding Methods

Abstract

Ships are built by joining steels of varying strength values using a welding method. While low-medium strength steels are advantageous in terms of low cost and easy supply, high strength steels provide a significant advantage in terms of being preferred in shipbuilding with the high strength values they offer. Examining the welding of steels used in shipbuilding reveals that while several welding techniques are employed, shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), submerged arc welding (SAW) and gas metal arc welding (GMAW) are most frequently used. Examination of the literature indicates that the aforementioned welding procedures have been employed relatively little in studies on the joining of high-strength steels used in ship construction. Also, it has been noted that no research has been done on the comparative analysis of the mechanical characteristics of such steels when they are joined using these 3 welding techniques. In this study, SMAW, GMAW, and SAW are used to join AH32 steel, which is often used in shipbuilding, and the mechanical characteristics of the welding areas are compared. Examinations revealed that SAW produced the greatest results in terms of bending force, hardness, strength, and impact toughness. Following GMAW, the best results were also obtained in terms of bending and tensile elongation.