Fabrication and Characterization of Weldments AISI 304 and AISI 316 Used in Industrial Applications

Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) and Shield metal arc welding (SMAW) are processed by using E347-16 electrode and filler wire to prepare the dissimilar weldments. The aim of study was to measure the effect of welding parameters: current, voltage, gas flow rate, nozzle to plate distance on tensile strength (TS), grain structure and hardness. The arc voltage and welding current was selected as 40,60 and 80V and 30,45 and 60amp respectively. The welding speed was selected as 4, 8, 12cm/sec. There is zero cracks, porosity, blow holes, spatter found in welding process of plate no. 2(AISI 304 & AISI 316 with ER-309L) using non consumable tungsten electrode with argon gas and also the microstructure study shows that the welding is self cooled welding structure with fine austenitic structure and very little heat affected zone found in this process. TIG welded dissimilar joint has best joint strength, uniform hardness variation as well as joint integrity. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.