Study of the Influence of Technological Waste of Metallurgical Plants on the Quality and Properties of Welding Electrodes

This paper examines the use of metallurgical process waste in welding electrode coatings and their impact on the quality and properties of welded joints in carbon steels. The results demonstrate that the use of metallurgical process waste in slag coatings for welding electrodes can significantly reduce the cost of the charge without degrading the welding properties of the electrodes or the quality and properties of the welded joints. The new electrode under study was fabricated using technological waste of metallurgical plants for the welding electrodes (IMAN-9). An activator additive consisting of nanostructured functional ceramics ZB-1 was introduced into the coating at an amount of 1% to increase the melting capacity of the welding electrode. This electrode is characterized by low cost, good welding properties, and ensures high-quality welded joints and beads. This paper also includes comparative tests of welded joints in low-carbon AISI 1017 steel using the IMAN-9 electrode and the ESAB E6013 electrode, which is widely used in the global market. Research has shown that IMAN-9 electrodes, compared to ESAB E6013 electrodes, offer superior performance in terms of weld metal penetration, weld metal structure, and weld joint ductility. In terms of strength, welds made by the IMAN-9 electrodes are slightly inferior to those made by the ESAB E6013 electrodes.