Influence of flux composition on microstructure and oxygen content of low carbon steel weldments in submerged arc welding

This study has been conducted to evaluate the influence of flux composition on the microstructure and oxygen content of the low carbon steel weldments using developed agglomerated fluxes. CaF2, FeMn and NiO were added to the CaO-SiO2-Al2O3 base fluxes in the varying amount of 2%-8% to examine the various elements transferred to the weldments. The microstructure obtained was a mixture of pearlite and ferrite contents. This study reveals that CaF2 and FeMn both are having significant effect on pearlite percentage while CaF2 and NiO are significant for oxygen transfer in the welds. The interaction effects of CaF2 and FeMn and CaF2 and NiO are also significant to the microstructure of the welds. The fluxes were designed using response surface methodology (RSM) and were developed by agglomeration technique.