Investigation of the effects of shielding gas flow rate on weld penetration in MIG welding

Abstract

In today's industry, the welding process that enables the joining of various materials is of great importance for the success and sustainability of the production process, being used in diverse environments such as open-closed spaces, underwater, among others. This joining method is constantly being developed and diversified in the face of dynamic and rapidly changing industrial conditions along with increasing global competition. In this study, the effect of different protective welding gas flow rates on the penetration of welding has been examined by welding a low carbon steel sheet material and an automation steel-made connecting element using the MIG welding process. While keeping the other welding parameters of the test samples constant, the welding process was carried out at 8 different gas flow rate values. As a result of the measurements, the welding penetration was examined, and the gas flow rates that provide optimum welding penetration values for both the sheet material and the connecting element were determined. The flow rates observed to provide optimum welding penetration values were 10 L/min and 11 L/min. With this study, an environmentally friendly approach was adopted by avoiding excessive use of shielding gas in the welding production process, aiming to achieve a higher quality and less costly product in this production process.