Wave Arc Movement Influence on the Dilution Level and on Weld Bead Geometry Using TIG Welding Process with Automatic Cold Wire Feeding

Abstract

This work aims to study the influence of arc waving in GTAW process with cold wire feeding deposited in single pass in order to use nickel-based alloys as coating to of petroleum and natural gas industries, where low dilution is needed to avoid reduction in corrosion resistance of the coatings. The welds were made using an robot workbench and a cold wire feeder system. The alloy used as filler metal was AWS ER NiCrMo-3 (Inconel 625) and the substrate was ASTM A516 Gr 60 steel plates. Welds were carried out with automatic cold wire feeding varying without arc waving and with triangular type arc waving. In addition the heat input was changed at three levels. The results showed that the use of arc waving has considerably influence on the geometry of the weld bead and the level of dilution. With use of arc waving the weld bead reinforcement was reduced and the width were increased, providing a better distribution of material on the workpiece surface, thereby reducing the reinforcement/width (R/W) ratio. This parameter indicates the degree of convexity of the weld bead. A high R/W ratio indicates that the degree of convexity may be excessive; thereby hampering an adequate overlap between the passes aiming to produce weld overlay without voids between them. Penetration and dilution showed similar behaviors, with significantly reduction under conditions where the arc waving was applied. These results show that the use of arc waving ensures a combination of low R/W ratio with low dilution, condition that is desirable to weld coatings.

Key-words: GTAW; Arc waving; Dilution; Nickel Alloy