What is submerged arc welding?

What is submerged arc welding? What are the application scope, advantages and disadvantages of submerged arc welding?

Answer: Submerged arc welding generally refers to a method of welding in which the arc burns under the flux layer. Because from the appearance, the arc is buried under the flux layer, it is called submerged arc welding. Generally, the welding wire is fed automatically by a machine. During welding, a layer of granular flux is covered on the welding area. The arc burns under the flux layer, melting the end of the welding wire and the local parent metal to form a weld.

Submerged arc welding can use a larger current. Compared with manual arc welding with electrodes, since there is no human participation in the welding process, its biggest advantage is good weld quality and high welding speed. Its work efficiency can be equivalent to dozens of times that of manual arc welding. Therefore, it is particularly suitable for welding straight seams and circumferential seams of large weldments. Moreover, this welding method has a high degree of mechanization, and the quality of the weld generally does not change due to the decline in the quality of the welder. It has been widely used in welding carbon steel, low-alloy structural steel, stainless steel, etc. Since slag can reduce the cooling rate of the joint, some high-strength structural steel and high-carbon steel can also be used.

Disadvantages: Due to the use of granular flux and high current, submerged arc welding can generally only be operated in the flat welding position and cannot achieve full-position welding. At the same time, the operation is not flexible and it is not suitable for welding complex-shaped welds.