Experimental Evaluation to Characterize Welded A36 Steel Joints Using the FCAW Process

Abstract

Abstract The objective of this investigation was the evaluation of mechanical properties and metallographic characterization of welded joints of ASTM A-36 steel through the FCAW process with cored wire E71T11 of 1.2 mm in diameter; applying the AWS D1.1 2020 welding code. Variations were made in voltage, current intensity, and feed speed. The welding process was carried out using Lincoln Arc R3S equipment. The joints were welded in 3 thickness groups, and each group had four variations in the weld seam. In addition, the welding processes have a WPS backup. Once the weld beads were made, ultrasound tests and visual inspection were applied to rule out discontinuities, surface imperfections, and incomplete fusion. In the corresponding test tubes for micrographs, it was possible to identify the filler material, base material, and the zone affected by heat, the same in which the microstructure was identified and then compared with the base material. A hardness profile was determined in the base material, ZAC, and the filler material. It is concluded that after applying the non-destructive and destructive tests, better conditions were achieved with the parameters established in the WPS of the following coupons FCAW-230-6, FCAW-225-8, FCAW-300-8, and FCAW-225- 10, evidencing that its mechanical and metallographic properties did not change significantly. It is recommended that the specimens obtained from the weld coupons have a cooled cut to avoid variations in the mechanical and metallographic properties.

Keywords

• fcaw process, astm a-36 steel, asw d1.1 standard, zac, mechanical properties, metallographic analysis.