Rare earth elements in self-shielded flux-cored wires and their effect on the weld toughing of U75V rail steel

Abstract

Self-shielded flux-cored wire is a new type of welding material that has the advantages of outdoor and high-efficiency application, and it has been used widely for rail repair. A self-shielded flux-cored wire with high alkalinity and rare earth elements was taken for research, and the microstructure, inclusions, hardness and the impact toughness were studied. Rare earth elements could eliminate the oxygen and sulfur when they were added into the molten pool. The addition amount has been optimized to the range of 4% in the self-shielded flux-cored wire when used for rail repairing.