Strength Analysis of Weld in Mild-Steel Square Bar with Variable Arc Gap using Semi-Automatic Shielded Metal Arc Welding Machine

Aditya Nayak, Chandra Shekhar Nagendra

Abstract: Welding processes are widely used throughout industry to perform a range of fabrication tasks. Of the various welding techniques available, stick-electrode welding, more formally known as Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) is one of the most common. SMAW is a consumed electrode welding technique, i. e. the electrode not only supplies the filler-metal, but also acts as the consumable material. Currently the electrode feed rate is carefully controlled during the welding process to ensure that the arc length remains constant. The obtained results will give the Tensile Strength & Compressive Strength of the weld, and Weight of Specimen used. These two parameters viz. Tensile Strength & Compressive Strength will help to conclude the result obtained. The strength of the welded work-piece will be tested and recorded with the help of Tests to be performed in Universal Testing Machine viz. tensile test & compression test. This will be helpful in confirming the values of process parameters in SMAW. Later on, Hardness Test can be performed to determining the hardness of the weld by Rockwell Hardness Testing Machine (RHT machine).

Keywords: SMAW, Shielded Metal Arc Welding, RHT Machine, Rockwell Hardness Testing Machine Process, Arc Gap Length, Arc Voltage, UTM, Universal Testing Machine