Influence of wire electrode coatings on mechanical-technological weld seam and GMA-pocess properties

• Applicant: Professor Dr.-Ing. Volker Wesling
• Subject Area: Production Automation and Assembly Technology ; Coating and Surface Technology
• Term: from 2018 to 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 393234340

The increased use of high and ultra high strength steels in many areas of technology, among other things Offshore structures, automotive and general steel construction, the urge to grow a deeper understanding of welding processes in order to use their potentials completely. Currently, much research in the field of process engineering, process automation and process control is done; little attention is paid to solid wire electrodes for gas metal arc welding. The research project will focus, starting from the assumption that thin film layers of different metallic and non-metallic elements to solid wire electrodes can change the mechanical and technological properties of the weld metal and the welding process (penetration behavior, material transfer and arcing) significantly, this part of the field of welding. The influences of different layer systems will be characterized. The arc stability, the droplet transfer and the combustion behavior of the wire electrode and the element distribution in the droplet and the weld in addition to the static, cyclic and dynamic mechanical properties of the weld seam are the focus of the investigations. Based on preliminary studies, it is expected that a significant change in the process behavior and the mechanical properties can be achieved by the coating. In the last step of the research project demonstration coating systems will be derived with greatly increased targeted properties (arc stability / finer droplet transfer, strength, toughness) and their predicted properties will be verified. The research project will contribute a significant part in the understanding of arc welding processes.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants