Basic Welding: Submerged Arc Welding

Submerged-arc Welding

Overview: SAW involves formation of an arc between a continuously-fed bare wire electrode and the work piece. The process uses a flux to generate protective gases and slag, and to add alloying elements to the weld pool. A shielding gas is not required. Prior to welding, a thin layer of flux powder is placed on the work piece surface. The arc moves along the joint line and as it does so, excess flux is recycled via a hopper. Remaining fused slag layers can be easily removed after welding. There is no visible arc light, welding is spatter-free and there is no need for fume extraction.

SAW is usually operated as a fully-mechanised or automatic process, but it can be semi-automatic. Welding parameters: current, arc voltage and travel speed all affect bead shape, depth of penetration and chemical composition of the deposited weld metal. Because the operator cannot see the weld pool, greater reliance must be placed on parameter settings.

Applications of SAW process: SAW is used for longitudinal and circumferential butt and fillet welds, in flat position. For circumferential joints, the workpiece is rotated under a fixed welding head with welding taking place in the flat position. Depending on material thickness, either single-pass, two-pass or multipass weld procedures can be carried out. There is virtually no restriction on the material thickness, provided a suitable joint preparation is adopted. Most commonly welded materials are carbon-manganese steels, low alloy steels and stainless steels, although the process is capable of welding some non-ferrous materials with judicious choice of electrode filler wire and flux combinations.

Hazards in SAW: This process has all the hazards of MMA, except for Welders’ eye, since the molten weld pool is always covered under flux.