Metallurgical and mechanical properties evolution in cusp-magnetic field-assisted GTAW of low carbon steel

Abstract

In this work, magnetic field-assisted autogenous gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) of low carbon steel has been studied. The external magnetic field was generated by custom made rectangular shaped samarium cobalt permanent magnets which were arranged in a manner to generate a cusp-type magnetic field (CMF). The impact of CMF on the morphology and microstructural evaluation of the weld joints were examined prudently using optical microscope, Field-emission scanning electron microscope and X-Ray Diffraction technique. The experimental results exhibited that the CMF assisted GTAW produce joints with better mechanical and metallurgical properties compared to conventional GTAW. In CMF assisted welds, width of weld beads was reduced by an average of 4% and depth of penetration was increased by 13%. Temperature measurement on the work piece showed a significant amount of temperature decrease for the same amount of heat input under the influence of the CMF. An improvement in grain refinement was observed in the heat-affected zone (HAZ) adjacent to fusion boundary by 12% and HAZ adjacent to base metal by 15% compared to conventional GTAW, which in turn promoted a considerable increase in hardness. The tensile properties in CMF assisted welds were enhanced by 3% and 8%, respectively, for an increase of heat inputs from 0.34 to 0.45 kJ mm−1.