A Brief Summary on Submerged Arc Welding Process and SAW Wires

SAW also referred as Submerged Arc Welding or Submerged Arc Welded Tubulars is a welding process wherein the metals are joined by generating heat with arcs or an arc between the work surface and the bare metal electrode. In all major welding process a shield is provided to protect the welding, same applies in SAW welding in which the shield is provided by a blanket of granular fusible material on the work. No pressure is used in this welding process and filler metal required for welding is obtained from the supplementary welding rod or the bare metal electrode. These welding rods or bare metal electrodes are termed as SAW wires. These wires are available in both copper coated and stainless steel format.

The submerged arc welding process equipment consists of the wire feeder which allows the welder to control and manage the flow of SAW wire during the welding process. Apart from this, SAW welding process equipment also includes a power source or a welding machine, the control system, the feeding mechanism and the flux hopper, the travel mechanism for automatic welding, a flux recovery system, the welding torch or the welding gun for atomizing the welding process as well as the cable assembly for semi-automatic welding process.

The submerged arc welding process is one of the most complex and difficult welding process. This is because the welding machine is always rated for a 100 percent duty cycle, since the SAW welding operations are always continuous and the time required for completing a welding may exceed over 10 minutes. As a result, the SAW wires are meant to be tougher in quality and are highly durable to survive in extreme climatic conditions. The welding machines for submerged arc welding process are available in different sizes ranging from 300 amperes to 1500 amperes. Similarly, the SAW wires are also available in different sizes, shapes and consumption to meet these varied SAW welding requirements.

Overall, there are several advantages of submerged arc welding process as compared to that of other welding processes. Some of the major advantages of SAW welding process are:

• The quality of finished welding metal is highly durable and lasts longs.
• Minimal maintenance cost after the weld.
• Lasts long.
• High quality and durable SAW wires are used for the process.
• Smooth and uniform result for welding without any spatter.
• Generates minimal smoke during welding.
• The need for protective clothing is minimal as there is no arc flash in the welding process.
• High utilization of electrode and SAW wire.
• Minimal and almost no participation of manipulative skills, ensuring quality in welding.
• Extremely high speed and deposition rate.

A professional stainless steel wire manufacturing company ensures to produce and deliver quality SAW wires that match various international quality standards and are able to meet some of the most complex SAW welding requirements.

About the Author

lucy bruce

Raajratna Electrodes is manufacturer, supplier, & exporter of welding electrodes, Stainless Steel Welding Wires, copper coated mig wires. source : http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/a-brief-summary-on-submerged-arc-welding-process-and-saw-wires-5223523.html