Influence of Welding Parameters on Weld Appearance and Mechanical Properties in Twin-Wire Tandem Submerged Arc Welding of HSLA Steel

Effects of welding parameters on the weld bead appearance and mechanical properties in twin-wire tandem submerged arc welding of a high-strength low-alloy steel were investigated. Steel plates were welded using different combinations of welding current, voltage, inter-wire spacing and welding speed. The weld joints were characterized in detail by metallography. Hardness and tensile properties of the specimens were measured. The experimental analysis reveals that good weld appearance can be obtained for a range of inter-wire spacing from 55mm to 80mm. Leading wire current, trailing wire voltage and welding speed are the major factors affecting weld bead profile and microstructures in weld metal and fusion zone. Greater welding speed tends to produce higher cooling rate and favors the formation of strengthening phases like acicular ferrite and bainitic structures resulting in better mechanical properties.