PREDICTION OF ELEMENT TRANSFER USING RECYCLED SLAG IN SUBMERGED ARC WELDING

The transfer of elements C, Mn, Si, S and P into the weld metal has been studied using recycled slag. Arc voltage, wire feed rate, travel speed and nozzle to plate distance were selected as four independently controllable input factors. The significance of the model was tested by analysis of variance (ANOVA) technique; effects of input variables arc voltage and wire feed rate were studied on responses –% C, % Mn, % Si, % S and % P. These models were then checked for adequacy using ‘F' test. It was observed that the transfer of C, Mn and P was directly related to arc voltage whereas it was inv ersely related to the wire feed rate. Moreover, the transfer of Si decreased with increase in wire feed rate, but remained constant with varying arc voltage, welding speed and nozzle to plate distance. Furthermore, it was noticed that welding speed and Nozzle to plate distance have a negligible influence on weld metal chemistry. It can be concluded that recycled slag gives satisfactory results and can be used as a fresh flux.