Prediction and comparison of the area of the heat-affected zone for the bead-on-plate and bead-on-joint in submerged arc welding of pipes

The effect of controllable process variables on the heat input and the area of the heat-affected zone (HAZ) for bead-on-plate and bead-on-joint welding were calculated and analyzed using mathematical models developed for the submerged arc welding of pipes (SAW). A comparative study of the area of the heat-effected zone between bead-on-plate and bead-on-joint welding was carried out. This comparative study reveals that the models developed for bead-on-plate for predicting weld bead qualities need further modification before applying to the actual joining of metals by welding. It is found that the area of the HAZ is greater for bead-on-plate than that for bead-on-joint and that the effects of SAW process variables on the area of the HAZ on plate is as same as that of the area of the HAZ on joint, and follows the same trend.