The effect of pre-heating distance of shielded metal arc welding on the mechanical properties of AISI 1045 steel

Welding is a method of joining metals by utilizing local heat to form a metallurgical bond between the metals. The most common welding is electric welding, including the Shielded Metal Arch Welding (SMAW). This type of welding uses a filler wire or electrode. To reduce weld cracks and cooling rates in the weld metal and heat affected zone (HAZ) area, it is necessary to carry out a pre-heating process. Pre-heating is the application of heat to the material to be welded using oxyacetylene welding or a gas torch. This study aims to determine the appropriate pre-heating distance for the welding process of AISI 1045 steel, classified as a type of medium carbon steel widely used in shafts, gears, and piston connecting rods in motor vehicles. The parameters used in this study were the pre-heating distances of 1.5cm, 3cm, and 4.5cm that were preheated at a temperature of 150°C, using LB-52U type electrodes with a diameter of 2mm.