The effect of non-metallic inclusions on the toughness of the weld metal of cold-resistant steels at low temperatures

Abstract

Investigations were carried out into the relationship between the shape and composition of non-metallic inclusions, formed in the weld metal in welding E36 and AB steels with low-alloy wires under agglomerated fluxes of the MgO–CaF₂–Al₂O₃–SiO₂ system, and the composition of the flux. It is shown that the increase in the fraction of circular non-metallic inclusions and the reduction of the fraction of elongated inclusions in the weld metal, like the reduction of the mean size of the inclusions, increase the impact work of the weld metal at the test temperature of − 40°C.

Keywords:

• automatic welding
• shipbuilding steels
• agglomerated flux
• low-alloyed wires
• non-metallic inclusions
• cold endurance