Effects of Heat Input and Consumable on Simple Bending Strength of Welded Joints in TMCP Steel Tubular Profiles

Abstract

The introduction of steels made by thermomechanical controlled processing (TMCP) demanded higher mechanical and metallurgical properties of the welded joints produced on them. Given these factors, the heat input is strictly limited, and to avoid any reduction in the mechanical strength of the heat affected zone (HAZ), it is required to test welding procedures close to those that will be used in the actual structure. Therefore, the aim of this study is to obtain detailed data on the mechanical efficiency of welded joints by GMAW process and different heat inputs, on square tubular profiles in TMCP steel, disposed as a column/beam weldment. So, six different heat inputs and two filler metals were used (AWS ER80S-G and AWS ER120S-G), with welds located around the profile contour. The twelve welded structures were instrumented and subjected to simple bending. Comparing welded joints produced with same heat input, and despite similar effects on the heat affected zone (HAZ), those made with consumable AWS ER120S-G have shown higher mechanical strength.

Key-words:
GMAW; TMCP steel; Heat input; Tubular profile; Welded joint Mechanical strength; Simple bending