The evenmatched welding conditions in FCAW-G process were used in API 5L X80 steel. In this study, two joint geometries (bevel 25° and 35°) with different process parameters were used. Each type of joint was welded with one type of consumable: AWS E81T1-Ni1C (evenmatched), with variation of heat input. During welding the voltage and current varied in a range, in order to preserve the transfer mode by short circuit. For each welded joint, it was studied the influence of these welding parameters in the weld metal's quality and, the influence of the bevel angle in the extent of heat affected zones and their correlated mechanical properties. The microstructures were characterized by optical and scanning microscopy, in which the qualitative analyses of microconstituents were performed in transverse sections of weld bead. The mechanical properties for each condition were obtained by uniaxial tensile, hardness, impact and bending tests, allowing the comparison between the different parameters. The tensile test results obtained with a smaller bezel angle had mechanical resistance slightly higher than those of bigger angle joint. Consumables with the same mechanical strength of the base metal (evenmatched) presented performances consistent with their levels of resistance and proved to be viable, depending on the application.
FCAW process; evenmatched welding; API 5L X80 steel
