CONCEPT OF TUBULAR ELECTRODE

The advent of Solid-Core electrode for joining took place about 100 years ago. Then, came Solid-Core electrode for Hardfacing where high alloy contents in the weld-metal were the primary considerations to impart wear-resistant surfaces on base metal.

Since high alloying elements need to be transferred across the arc to the weld-metal, thick flux coatings for such Hardfacing Solid-Core Electrodes became the necessity. Effective result of such thick flux coating having high-alloy contents leads to the following short-comings.

  • high operating current
  • high slag volume
  • spatter
  • low recovery
  • non-uniform distribution of carbides throughout the matrix
  • high cost of weld-metal

To get over such difficulties of operations along with above short-comings associated with solid-core hardfacing electrodes, the concept of making high-alloyed electrodes through Powder-Metallurgical method came to the minds of Developers which has finally given rise to the present form of Tubular Hardfacing Electrodes

CONSTRUCTIONAL DIFFERENCE IN THF LEAD TO THE FOLLOWING ADVANTAGES


Best Optometrist
  • Low operating current even with higher sizes
  • Low heat-input; No burn-through
  • Low dilution; Less distortion
  • Hardfacing on thin sections possible
  • Uniform alloy distribution
  • Weld deposit richer in carbides
  • Non - Hygroscopic Coating
  • No special storage; No pre-drying
  • Universal grip for all sizes
  • High deposition rate; High recovery
  • Low weld metal cost

It is universally accepted fact that THF electrodes give greater wear resistance & twice the VALUE FOR MONEY of Solid-Core Hardfacing Electrodes.


SWPL's THF ELECTRODES FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF WEAR MODE

Since a combination of wear factors is responsible for wear of components SWPL has developed THF Electrodes based on the Primary wear factor and then the Secondary wear factor(s).

  • Highest Abrasion under Low Impact (SV5, SV108)
  • Highest Erosion under Moderate / Low Impact (SV3)
  • Highest Abrasion at Elevated Temperature upto 1000 Deg. C under Moderate Impact (SV4, SV4-SS)
  • High Stress-Abrasion under Heavy Impact (SV16)
  • Higher Abrasion under Heavy Impact (SV6, SV120)
  • Higher Abrasion under Moderate Impact (SV1, SV50)
  • Highest Impact under Moderate Abrasion. (SV2, SV9)
  • Corrosion accompanied with Abrasion / Erosion (SV18)
  • Cast-Iron Electrodes (SV-CI, SV-CI Spl)
  • Arcing of Sugarcane Crusher Rolls (SV80)

NOTES ON WEAR RESISTANCE VIS-A-VIS HARDNESS

The premise is that the harder the material, the greater the wear resistance. While this is technically correct, applying this principal across the board to achieve higher wear-life of components may lead to some catastrophic results.

For example, Martensitic Steel and Chrome Carbide Iron with the same 600 BHN hardness will differ in wear resistance properties. The later will impart much better wear-life.

While testing hardness in conventional hardness testing machine the size of the impression of the indentor is quite a bit larger than any of the individual grains or hard particles of the weld-metal. Essentially this hardness test is measuring the average hardness of many grains / particles. It's possible to think of this test as a Macro Hardness test.

A Micro Hardness Test on the other hand measures the individual hardness of each grain or particle.

It is apparent that choosing materials to resist wear based on hardness alone, and in particular, Macro Hardness values, can be very risky.

It is essential to understand the microstructure of weld-metal to establish wear-resistance characteristics.

Predicting wear within a family of materials with similar microstructures is much safer. In this case an increase in macro-hardness almost certainly leads to increased wear resistance


GENERAL SUGGESTIONS BEFORE SELECTION OF ELECTRODES FOR DIFFERENT TYPE OF WEAR-MODE

Identify the composition of base material. (Austenitic manganese steel, carbon steel, wear resistant steel, alloy steel etc).

Recognise and understand the wear problem (abrasion, erosion, impact, heat, friction, corrosion, vibration, compression etc,) singly or combination decides the type of alloy to be used.

High deposit hardness does not always mean the best overall wear resistance. While selecting a Hardfacing alloy for maximum wear resistance considerations of the total alloys presence and also the presence of carbides are to be made.

Tubular Electrodes always give more & uniform alloying elements in weld-deposit vis-avis Solid-Core Electrodes.

Never make the assumption that higher priced alloys always provide the best wear.

In case of high build-up because of excessive wear the restoration of original base metal is needed prior to Hardfacing. In such cases select a build up alloy that is compatible with the base metal composition.

The quantity and hardness of the carbides in an alloy generally determine the deposit hardness and resulting wear resistance. Presence of Carbides/ Complex Carbides in the weld-metal is the best indicator of wear resistance.

Tubular electrodes give richer Carbides/ Complex Carbides in deposit.

Never choose a Hardfacing alloy based on its price alone. Over-all cost savings involving total quantity of electrodes, rate of deposition and productive welding time should be the primary consideration.

Do not assume that two alloys with the same hardness rating will wear-out at the same rate. Metallurgical structure giving rise to such equivalent hardness should be the primary considerations.