Narrow Gap Weld Pre-Coating for Thick Steel Sidewall Fusion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Narrow-gap welding of steel substrates thicker than 50 mm often results in defects such as lack of fusion, slag entrapment, and undercutting, which affect the quality and mechanical properties of the weld, and there is a need to improve the deposition rate and productivity of this process.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the application of a pre-coating comprising a titanate and nanoparticulate oxide on the sidewalls of steel substrates, which modifies the arc and melt pool physics, enhancing weld penetration and preventing defects by improving wetting and arc stability, using techniques like submerged arc welding, gas metal arc welding, or gas tungsten arc welding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If narrow gap welding is used to weld steel substrates thicker than 50 mm, then the welding capability for thick substrates is achieved, but defects such as lack of fusion, slag entrapment, and undercutting occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesubstrate thicknessVSAvoidweld quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A pre-coating comprising a titanate and nanoparticulate oxide is applied to the sidewalls of the steel substrates before welding. This preliminary action modifies the arc and melt pool physics during welding, enhancing penetration and preventing defects by improving wetting and arc stability, thereby resolving the contradiction between welding thick substrates and maintaining weld quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The pre-coating changes the physical and chemical parameters of the welding interface by introducing titanate and nanoparticulate oxide. These parameter changes modify surface tension, improve wetting characteristics, and stabilize the arc, enabling high-quality welding of thick substrates without common defects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If traditional narrow gap welding is used, then the welding process can be performed, but the deposition rate and productivity are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeposition rateVSAvoidweld quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pre-coating is applied in advance to prepare the substrate surface for enhanced welding performance. This preliminary treatment enables higher deposition rates by improving arc stability and melt pool fluidity, while simultaneously maintaining weld quality through defect prevention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The pre-coating uses a composite material system combining titanate and nanoparticulate oxide. This composite provides synergistic effects that improve both productivity (through enhanced deposition rate) and reliability (through reduced defects), resolving the contradiction between speed and quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The pre-coating significantly improves the quality and mechanical properties of the weld, increases deposition rate, and reduces defects like lack of sidewall fusion and undercutting, while maintaining or enhancing the toughness of the welded joint.

Implementation Method 1

The welding of the at least two metallic substrates along the at least partially coated sidewall by narrow gap welding

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectric Arc: Electric Arc

Implementation Method 2

preventing defects by improving wetting and arc stability

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWetting: Wetting

Implementation Method 3

modifies the arc and melt pool physics, enhancing weld penetration

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMarangoni Effect: Marangoni Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20230373038A1A method for the manufacture of a welded joint by Narrow Gap Welding
Publication Date: 2023.11.23 VERDICIO SOLUTIONS A I E

AI summary

A method for the manufacture of a welded joint have the following successive steps: I. the provision of at least two metallic substrates wherein at least one metallic substrate is a steel substrate having a thickness of at least 50 mm and being delimited by at least one sidewall, wherein said sidewall is at least partially coated with a pre-coating having a titanate and a nanoparticulate oxide selected from the group consisting of TiO2, SiO2, ZrO2, Y2O3, Al2O3, MoO3, CrO3, CeO2, La2O3 and mixtures thereof, and II. the welding of the at least two metallic substrates along the at least partially coated sidewall by narrow gap welding.