Design and development of welding electrode for structural steel

Abstract Due to the large number of consumables available, the flexibility required to achieve appropriate properties in the welded joint is very high. Fundamental knowledge about development of different electrodes for structural steel, of which information is scarce in international welding literature. In present work six rutile coated electrodes were prepared by increasing calcite content, at the expense of cellulose and Si-bearing components like mica and china clay, in the fluxes. This modification produced an increase in the slag basicity, which caused a marked increment in all-weld-metal toughness and modifications in operational behavior with a decrease in penetration and width of the weld bead, while maintaining the typical excellent operational characteristics of rutile electrodes. Microstructure examination of six electrodes indicates the presence of inclusions and secondary phase particles. Maximum tensile strength of 430 N/mm 2 while minimum tensile strength of 323 N/mm 2 was observed for 7.5 % and 12.5 % calcite content. In F position, 7.5 %, 10 %, 12.5 % calcite was faster than 15 %, 17.5 % and 20 % calcite. For DC (+), 15 %, 17.5 %, 20 % calcite presented higher spatter than 5 %, 10 %, 12.5 % calcite.