Experimental Investigation of Electric Arc Welding Variables on the Corrosion Behaviour of Steel Welds in Acidic Medium

Abstract

This work investigated the effects of power input and welding speed on the corrosion rate of low carbon steel welds in one molar tetraoxosulphate (VI) acid (H2SO4) solution. Locally available low carbon steel rod (Ø12mm) used for this study was cut into twenty four samples Ø12mm × 50mm with the aid of hacksaw for both plane face and double V shape. The samples were further processed through machining to get twelve samples for plane face and double-V edge shape respectively. Electric arc welding was used for welding the samples to produce six welded joints for each of plane face and double V shape at different power input and welding speed.  Weight loss method was employed to evaluate the corrosion rate of the welded joints in the tested medium. It was discovered from the study that welding speed and power input have significant roles to play in either lowering or increasing the corrosion rate of the low carbon steel welded joints in one molar tetraoxosulphate (VI) acid solution. The plane face and double-V edge low carbon steel welded joints corrodes less at power input and welding speed of 16.5kW and 12cm/min respectively. Their corrosion rate is more aggressive at higher power input and welding speed.