TWI Industrial Member Report Summary 725/2001
D Howse
Background
Active fluxes for TIG welding (A-TIG) have been available outside the former Soviet Union for some time. These fluxes produce increased penetration in TIG welds by the simple application of a flux painted on to the material surface prior to welding. These fluxes have produced a step change in the performance of TIG welding. However, the usage of TIG welding is relatively small and a much greater benefit for industry could be derived if similar improvements were achievable with fluxes for MIG/MAG welding. It was the intention of this project to carry out a preliminary assessment of the benefits in terms of increased penetration when using these fluxes for MIG/MAG welding and also to investigate any other potential advantages that the use of these fluxes may bring for MIG/MAG welding.
Objective
- To determine the effect of active fluxes on process stability and the depth of penetration in MIG/MAG welding C-Mn steel.