Study of the impact of TIG welding parameters and post-weld heat treatment on the bending properties of AISI 1020 steel welded joints

Abstract

Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) is a welding technique that stands out due to its high precision, controlled heat input, and equipment's cost-effectiveness. TIG welding is utilized to join various grades of steel. Presently, numerous research studies are actively seeking to improve the quality of welded joints, focusing on aspects such as strength, ductility, formability, appearance, and corrosion resistance. These improvements are achieved through the modification of welding methods and/or welding parameters. In this investigation, welding current and gas flow rate were selected as input parameters. Additionally, PWHT at 700 °C for 1.5h was applied to relieve the residual stresses occurring during the welding operation. The objective of this investigation is to examine how the welding current, gas flow rate, and post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) affect the bending properties of welded joints. The bending test was conducted to assess both the bending resistance and bending strain of the joints. The bending resistance increases to attend a maximal value of 790 N and the bending strain decreases to 7.1%, with the welding current and the gas flow rate due to the high heat input and cooling rate. The applied PWHT decreases the bending resistance by 11% and increases the bending strain by 18%, due to the decrease of the joint's hardness.