Welded Joints' Heat Affected Zone's Extension Prediction by Switching Welding Parameters

Choosing welding parameters is an important step in welding process, directly influencing in the heat input provided to welded joints. This heat input value, along with temperature distribution in welded joints, provides, to the drafter, conditions of predicting the Heat Affected Zone (HAZ) extension, the kind of microstructure to be formed, and therefore, the effects of residual stress. Three welding parameters were switched, providing different welding conditions. Each condition was analyzed by SmartWeld 2011 software and macrography to find and compare the extension of HAZ. As for the residual stresses, calculated through Displacement of Coordinated Points (DCP) method. It is possible to choose the best parameters for the welded joint by GMAW process considering the parameters in study.