Comparative Evaluation of Some Selected Flux Coated Low Hydrogen Electrodes for Arc Welding of HY-100 Steel

Abstract

There exist little or no established scientific facts or document on the reason a particular type of low hydrogen electrode (LHE) is given preference to others in usage. Thus, this study presents a comparative analysis of three different brands of flux coated commercial low hydrogen electrodes (LHEs) available in Nigerian market. Shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) of HY-100 steel was carried out using Electrode-A, Electrode-B and Electrode-C respectively. Inspection, chemical analysis, microstructural examination, hardness and tensile strength tests of the resultant weldments of each electrode type were analysed and compared. The results obtained showed the percentage compositions of the weldments constituents, micrographs and values of tensile strength as well as the hardness tests. The results revealed that all the three brands of electrodes investigated gave close conformity with the standard. However, Electrode-B from Sweden exhibited the closest conformity with the expected properties of an ideal LHE weldment, followed by Electrode-A and Electrode-C both from India. This investigation is expected to spur further significant research(es) in quality assurance of welding consumables. Furthermore, it will assist Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) and other stakeholders in arc welding industry in an effort to evaluate engineering materials available in Nigerian market.