Numerical evidence of submerged arc welding at changing of the main process parameters

In the arc welding processes, the parts to be connected are subjected to thermal cycles that can generate distortions. Furthermore, owing to clamping constraints, residual stresses can arise affecting the mechanical properties of the welding bead. In the work proposed, multi-pass submerged arc welding (SAW) process was investigated by a numerical analysis, properly set by experimental evidence. Indeed, the welding bead of a reference sample, was section and etched before performing micrograph inspections to achieve the contours of both welded material and affected zone for each welding pass. Arc current, voltage and welding speed were the investigated process parameters. Their values were changed proportionally to maintain constant the generated specific heat of the process. Furthermore, the effect of different clamping set up was considered. As a result of the analysis, process configurations, according to the employed process parameters, able to reduce distortions and to minimize residual stress, were identified.