Effect of Groove Angle in Butt Joints on Angular Distortion in Submerged Arc Welding

When steel structures are welded, a localized fusion zone is generated in the weld because of the high heat input from the arc, and then non-uniform temperature distribution through heat conduction is induced. Angular distortion is a major problem and most pronounced among different types of distortion in the butt welded plates in fabrication industries. This angular distortion is mainly due to non-uniform transverse shrinkage along the depth of the plates welded. Restriction of this distortion by restraint may lead to higher residual stresses. It is difficult to obtain a complete solution to predict angular distortion that may be reliable over a wide range of processes, materials, and process control parameters. Thus, the development of proper techniques for reducing and controlling distortion would lead to more reliable welded structures with a reduction in fabrication cost. The effect of groove angle on the angular distortion in butt welded joints produced by submerged arc welding process was investigated. In this study, specimens were prepared for different groove angles for different ischolar_main opening and throat thickness in single V-groove, bevel groove and double V-groove butt joints. These specimens were welded using submerged arc welding process with constant process parameters. The angular distortion was measured and analyzed for all the specimens. It was observed that, the angular distortion decreases with increase in the groove angle for the given ischolar_main opening and throat thickness.