Submerged arc welding - practical steel pipe welding technology

Submerged arc welding technology can bring great benefits to users in many welding applications, from increasing productivity to improving the working environment to ensuring stable quality. Metal fabricators who are considering changing to a submerged arc welding process should consider the many benefits that can be gained from this process.

Basic knowledge of submerged arc welding
Submerged arc welding technology is suitable for heavy industrial applications such as pipelines, pressure vessels and storage tanks, locomotive manufacturing, heavy construction/excavation and more. It is very suitable for industries that require high productivity, especially for very thick material welding industries, and can gain many benefits from the submerged arc welding process. Its higher deposition rate has an important impact on worker productivity and production costs. , which is also one of the key advantages of submerged arc welding technology. Other advantages include: excellent chemical composition and mechanical properties of the weld, minimal arc visibility and lower welding fumes, improved comfort in the work environment, and good weld shape and toe lines.
Submerged arc welding is a wire feed mechanism that uses granular flux to separate the arc from the air. As the name suggests, the arc is buried in the magnetic flux, which means that when the parameters are set, the arc is invisible and there is a layer of flux. outflow. The welding wire is continuously fed by a welding torch that moves along the weld seam. Arc heating melts the welding wire, part of the flux and base metal to form a molten pool, which condenses to form a layer of welding slag. The thickness range of welding materials is 1≤16"3≤4", and single pass welding with 100% penetration welding can be used. If the wall thickness is not limited, multiple welds can be performed, with appropriate pre-treatment and selection of the welds, and the selection of a suitable flux combination.
There are many wire options for submerged arc welding, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Some wires are prepared for soldering at higher heat inputs, while others are specifically designed to assist in flux welding cleaning. Note that the interaction between wire chemistry and heat input will affect the mechanical properties of the weld. Productivity can also be greatly improved through filler metal selection. For example, using the wire core submerged arc welding process can increase deposition efficiency by 15% to 30% compared to solid wire, while providing a wider and shallower penetration profile. The metal core wire can also reduce heat input due to its higher movement speed, thereby reducing the risk of welding deformation and burnout. When in doubt, consult the filler metal manufacturer to determine which wire and flux combination is best for a specific application.