Analysis of the flux consumption and metal transfer for tandem submerged arc welding process under iso-heat input conditions

The tandem submerged arc welding process brings higher productivity and better mechanical properties for the materials involved. In this study, constant heat input per unit length (2.5 kJ/mm) was maintained and flux consumption per unit length was analyzed for different welding conditions. The physical analysis, including arc interaction and metal transfer mode along the current value, were considered for understanding flux consumption. The relationship among flux consumption per unit length, metal transfer mode, and resultant weld bead shapes was analyzed. Especially, it was found out that flux-wall guided transfer plays an important role in forming the fusion zone in the low-current tandem submerged arc welding processes.