Evaluation of A-TIG flux on dissimilar welds between mild steel and stainless steel

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of activated fluxes on the weld morphology, angular distortion, and mechanical properties obtained with activated tungsten inert gas (TIG) process applied to the welding of 6 mm thick mild steel and stainless steel plates. A novel variant of the TIG welding, specific oxides were applied to mild steel and stainless steel through a thin layer of the flux to produce a butt joint. The CaO, SiO2, Fe2O3, and Cr2O3 fluxes used were packed in powdered form. The experimental results indicated that the SiO2, Fe2O3, and Cr2O3 fluxes can increase joint penetration and weld depth-to-width ratio. The reversed Marangoni convection are considered to the main factors for increasing penetration of A-TIG on dissimilar welds in this study. Furthermore, TIG welding with SiO2 powder can significantly reduce the angular distortion of the dissimilar weldment.