Welding of austenitic stainless steel using double sided arc welding process

This study explores an improved method of welding austenitic stainless stee l. The method uses two series connected arcs to weld the workpiece simultan eously from opposite sides. Owing to this are configuration, the welding cu rrent is forced to How from one arc to the other through the workpiece. It is known that such current flow concentrates the arcs and thus improves the penetration capability. Also, the current flowing through the workpiece ge nerates fluid flow within the weld pool. In addition, owing to the use of t he two opposite arcs, the heating tends to be symmetric. In addition to the increased penetration, the use of this method for welding austenitic stain less steel result; in improved microstructure in the resultant welds becaus e of an increased columnar to equiaxed transition and a decreased angular d istortion, which sometimes induces solidification cracking. (C) 2001 IoM Co mmunications Ltd.