Effects of graphene oxide addition in properties of shielded metal arc weld joints.

Graphene and its derivative materials have been receiving the attention of researchers worldwide, and these materials are being considered for many applications. In this sense, studies revealed significant improvements in the welding properties of the welded joint when graphene derivatives are used. In this work, graphene oxide was synthesized and deposited in shielded metal arc welding E6013 electrodes by dip coating, and bead-on-plate and joining welds were produced with and without graphene oxide addition. The synthesized graphene oxide was characterized by XRD and SEM. In weld characterization, tensile strength tests, optical microscopy, microhardness, and corrosion were performed. The results revealed that the application of graphene oxide had promoted a slight increase in the microhardness of welds and did not promote deleterious effects on tensile mechanical properties. Furthermore, despite the lack of significant effects of graphene oxide addition in microstructural development and mechanical properties, the weld metal obtained with graphene oxide addition presented corrosion rates 30 times inferior to conventional electrodes and ten times less than the base metal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]