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Multicomponent Flux for Improved Penetration and Metallurgical Properties Using A-GTAW

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Abstract

Activated flux gas tungsten arc welding of 316L austenitic stainless steel plates was carried out using different multicomponent fluxes composed of various oxides. The performance of these fluxes was further compared with SiO2 flux for different weld characteristics such as macro and microstructure. Hardness and residual stress analysis on weld beads were carried out. Electrochemical corrosion tests were conducted, to study the corrosion behaviors of the weld. Tool wear pattern and mechanism were analyzed. Among all used multicomponent fluxes, flux composed of 40% SiO2, 35% TiO2, 15% MoO3, and 10% NiO named Flux-3 provided better weld quality. A better depth of penetration with fine dendritic grain structure was obtained using a Flux-3. Better conceived residual stress from higher depth-to-width ratio of weld using Flux-3 is supported by XRD stress analysis. A lower corrosion rate was observed in the welds using Flux-3. Tool wear in welding with Flux-3 was higher compared with welding without any flux.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology, Burla, for providing facilities to carry out this project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, VSSUT, Burla, 768018, India

    Nilakantha Sahu & Sushant Kumar Badjena

  2. Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, NIT, Rourkela, 769008, India

    Deepankar Panda & Santosh Kumar Sahoo

  3. Department of Chemistry, VSSUT, Burla, 768018, India

    Pravin Kumar Kar

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Sahu, N., Panda, D., Badjena, S.K. et al. Multicomponent Flux for Improved Penetration and Metallurgical Properties Using A-GTAW. J. of Materi Eng and Perform 32, 4237–4248 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-022-07383-2

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