Effect of Shielding Gas Flow Rate on the Load-Bearing Response of GMAW-Welded Low-Carbon Steel Specimens
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.67922/76av6k27Keywords:
gas metal arc welding (GMAW), shielding gas flow rate, low-carbon steel, compression testing, maximum load, welded jointsAbstract
Shielding gas flow rate is an important parameter in gas metal arc welding (GMAW), but its relationship with the mechanical response of welded low-carbon steel specimens depends on the welding and testing conditions. This study investigated the effect of shielding gas flow rates of 10, 20, and 25 L/min on the maximum load recorded during compression testing. Three specimens with nominal dimensions of 100 × 40 × 4 mm and V-groove joints were welded at a nominal current of 120 A, with one specimen tested at each flow rate. The maximum recorded loads were 440 kgf at 10 L/min, 460 kgf at 20 L/min, and 460 kgf at 25 L/min. The increase from 10 to 20 L/min corresponded to a descriptive increase of approximately 4.55%, whereas increasing the flow rate from 20 to 25 L/min produced no additional recorded load benefit. These findings provide a preliminary comparison of shielding gas settings and the loading response of the investigated welded specimens. However, the absence of replicated tests prevents statistical assessment of the observed differences or identification of an optimum flow rate. Furthermore, the original area calculation requires verification before the derived values can be interpreted as compressive strength. The results identify 20 L/min as a candidate for further experimental evaluation, subject to replicated testing, validated loading geometry, and improved welding-process documentation.
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