crystals

Article
Effect of Arc Length on Oxygen Content and Mechanical
Properties of Weld Metal during Pulsed GMAW
Jiachen Xu *, Xiaoxiao Zhou and Dawei Zhu

College of Electrical Engineering, Nanjing Vocational University of Industry Technology, Nanjing 210023, China;
[email protected] (X.Z.); [email protected] (D.Z.)
* Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +86-025-8586-4060

Abstract: Pulsed gas metal arc weld (GMAW) was widely used for the advantages of controllable
heat input, all-position welding, and no spatter. In order to obtain an ideal welding process, the
stability of the arc length was studied in many researches, but the influence of arc length on the
properties of weld metal was ignored. In this paper, the effect of arc length on oxygen content
and mechanical properties of weld metal during pulsed GMAW was studied. Q690 high strength
steel was selected as the base metal, and ER69-G solid wire, with a diameter of 1.2 mm, was used
as the electrode wire. Additionally, the shielding gas and the wire feed rate were 82% Ar + 18%
CO2 and 4 m/min, respectively. The results showed that as the arc length raised from 2.9 mm to
9.2 mm, the oxidation reacted more completely in the droplet transfer zone, and the oxygen content
of the weld metal increased significantly. The tensile strength of the weld metal reduced but the
−40 ◦ C impact energy heightened. Due to the longer arc, the proportion of acicular ferrite (AF) in the
microstructure decreased, but the proportion of lath bainite (LB) and granular bainite (GB) decreased.
The higher oxygen content of weld metal was useful for the formation of inclusions, which promoted
the nucleation of acicular ferrite and dimples, contributing to the growth of plasticity and toughness



of weld metal.


Citation: Xu, J.; Zhou, X.; Zhu, D.
Keywords: arc length; oxygen content; mechanical properties; microstructure; weld metal
Effect of Arc Length on Oxygen
Content and Mechanical Properties of
Weld Metal during Pulsed GMAW.
Crystals 2022, 12, 176. https://
doi.org/10.3390/cryst12020176
1. Introduction
With the development of industrial automation and robot welding, pulsed gas metal
Academic Editors: Fan Jiang,
arc weld (GMAW) was widely used for the advantages of controllable heat input, all-
Mingxuan Yang and Pavel Lukáč
position welding, and no spatter [1–3]. During the droplet transfer process in pulsed
Received: 22 December 2021 GMAW, “one droplet per pulse” (ODPP) was regarded as the most ideal mode [4–6], which
Accepted: 21 January 2022 was mainly affected by the pulse peak current (Ip ) and pulse peak current time (tp ) [7–9].
Published: 26 January 2022 In order to obtain a stable ODPP process, the pulse base current time (tb ) was generally
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral adjusted to change the arc length.
with regard to jurisdictional claims in The shape of the arc, the heat transfer, and the heat dissipation mode of the droplets
published maps and institutional affil- were greatly influenced by the arc length [10,11]. If the arc length were too short to provide
iations. sufficient space, the droplet would contact the molten pool but was still on the wire,
contributing to a short circuit [12]. In addition, if the arc length were too long, the stability
of the arc would decline and the oxidation reaction of liquid metal during the metal transfer
process would be affected. However, the stability of the arc length was studied in many
Copyright: © 2022 by the authors. researches, while the effect of arc length on oxygen content and mechanical properties of
Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. weld metal was ignored [13,14].
This article is an open access article In this paper, a high-speed camera was applied to investigate how the arc length
distributed under the terms and
affects the droplet transfer process. Additionally, by the analysis of the oxygen content and
conditions of the Creative Commons
mechanical properties of weld metal, the relevant mechanism was discussed.
Attribution (CC BY) license (https://
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/
4.0/).

Crystals 2022, 12, 176. https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst12020176 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/crystals

Crystals 2022, 12, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 10

Crystals 2022, 12, 176 2 of 10

2. Experimental Method
In this paper,
2. Experimental a synchronous acquisition system of high-speed photography, current,
Method
and voltage signalawas
In this paper, used (shown
synchronous in Figure
acquisition 1). The
system welding torch
of high-speed was placed
photography, stationary
current,
over
and voltage signal was used (shown in Figure 1). The welding torch was placed stationary at
the workpiece on the platform and the high-speed camera system was worked
10,000 fps.
over the In orderon
workpiece to the
enhance the and
platform background brightness
the high-speed camera and magnify
system was the contrast
worked at of
images, a laser
10,000 fps. lightto
In order with a wavelength
enhance of 850 nm
the background was used
brightness andasmagnify
a backlight. Additionally,
the contrast of
images,
20 a laser
mm thick lighthigh
Q690 with strength
a wavelength
steel of 850selected
was nm was as used
theasbase
a backlight.
metal, andAdditionally,
the butt joint
was used. Thus, an ER69-G solid wire with a diameter of 1.2 mm was used as joint
20 mm thick Q690 high strength steel was selected as the base metal, and the butt was
the electrode
used. Thus, an ER69-G solid wire with a diameter of 1.2 mm was used as the
wire. Figure 2 shows the schematic diagram of welded joints and the selection of test electrode wire.
Figure 2 shows
specimens. Thethe schematic
method diagram of welded
of multi-layer jointswelding
multi-road and the selection
was appliedof test specimens.
and the number
The method of multi-layer multi-road welding was applied and the number of passes was
of passes was 19, with a 6 mm thick backing plate under the weld. The preheating
19, with a 6 mm thick backing plate under the weld. The preheating temperature before
temperature before welding was controlled between 100 °C and 120 °C and the interpass
welding was controlled between 100 ◦ C and 120 ◦ C and the interpass temperature was
temperature was controlled ◦ between
◦ 150 °C and 160 °C.
controlled between 150 C and 160 C.

Crystals 2022, 12, x FOR PEER REVIEW 3 of 10

The pulse base current time was 9, 8.2, 7.4, 6.6 ms from Test 1 to Test 4, respectively.
The corresponding arc length was 2.9, 4.5, 6.5, 9.2 mm, respectively. The arc lengths were
measured at the time of the maximum pulse peak current because the arc brightness was
the largest and the boundary was clear at the moment.
According to the AWS B4.0-2016 standard [15], the impact specimens, the tensile
specimen, and the chemical composition analysis specimen were cut out from the weld
metal, as shown in Figure 2. The size of the standard impact specimen was 10 mm × 10
mm× 50 mm, with a 45° V-notch. The impact experiment was carried out at −40 °C. Figure
3 shows the detailed size of the tensile specimen. The tensile experiment was carried out
at room temperature, during which the load speed was set as 1 mm·min−1. The
metallographic
Figure
Figure 1.
samples
1. Schematic
Schematicdiagram
of weld metalphotography,
diagramofofhigh-speed
high-speed
were cut from
photography,
theand
current, center
current,
position
voltage
and signal
voltage
perpendicular
synchronous
signal
to
synchronous
the weld.
acquisition system.
acquisition system.

Table 1 shows the welding conditions. In order to obtain the ODPP droplet transfer
mode, the pulse base current time was selected as the adjustable parameter to change the
arc length.

Table 1. Welding conditions.

Welding Parameters Test 1 Test 2 Test 3 Test 4

Contact tube-to-work distance, mm 20
Pulse peak current, A 525
Pulse peak current time, ms 1.6
Pulse base current, A 28
Pulse base current time, ms 9 8.2 7.4 6.6
Arc shielding gas 82% Ar + 18% CO2
Flow rate of arc shielding gas, L·min−1 18
Figure
Speed of wire feed, m·min −12. Schematic diagram of welded joints and selection of
4 test specimens.
Figure 2. Schematic diagram of welded joints and selection of test specimens.
Welding speed, mm·s−1 4
Arc length, mm 2.9 4.5 6.5 9.2
Average current, A 122 130 139 149
Average voltage, V 22.4 25.9 28.1 31.3
Crystals 2022, 12, x FOR PEER REVIEW 3 o

Crystals 2022, 12, 176 The pulse base current time was 9, 8.2, 7.4, 6.6 ms from Test 1 to Test 34,of respectiv10
The corresponding arc length was 2.9, 4.5, 6.5, 9.2 mm, respectively. The arc lengths w
measured at the time of the maximum pulse peak current because the arc brightness w
the largest
Table 1and thethe
shows boundary was clear In
welding conditions. at order
the moment.
to obtain the ODPP droplet transfer
mode, the pulse base
According current
to the AWS time was selected
B4.0-2016 as the adjustable
standard [15], theparameter to change the the ten
impact specimens,
arc length.
specimen, and the chemical composition analysis specimen were cut out from the w
metal, as shown in Figure 2. The size of the standard impact specimen was 10 mm ×
Table 1. Welding conditions.
mm× 50 mm, with a 45° V-notch. The impact experiment was carried out at −40 °C. Fig
3 shows the Welding Parameters
detailed size of the tensileTest 1
specimen. Test
The2 tensileTest 3
experiment Test 4 carried
was
at room
Contacttemperature, during
tube-to-work distance, mm which the load speed20 was set as 1 mm·min−1. T
Pulse peak current, A 525
metallographic samples of weld metal were cut from the1.6center position perpendicula
Pulse peak current time, ms
the weld. Pulse base current, A 28
Pulse base current time, ms 9 8.2 7.4 6.6
Arc shielding gas 82% Ar + 18% CO2
Flow rate of arc shielding gas, L·min−1 18
Speed of wire feed, m·min−1 4
Welding speed, mm·s−1 4
Arc length, mm 2.9 4.5 6.5 9.2
Average current, A 122 130 139 149
Average voltage, V 22.4 25.9 28.1 31.3

The pulse base current time was 9, 8.2, 7.4, 6.6 ms from Test 1 to Test 4, respectively.
The corresponding arc length was 2.9, 4.5, 6.5, 9.2 mm, respectively. The arc lengths were
measured at the time of the maximum pulse peak current because the arc brightness was
the largest and the boundary was clear at the moment.
According to the AWS B4.0-2016 standard [15], the impact specimens, the tensile spec-
imen, and the chemical composition analysis specimen were cut out from the weld metal, as
shown in Figure 2. The size of the standard impact specimen was 10 mm × 10 mm× 50 mm,
with a 45◦ V-notch. The impact experiment was carried out at −40 ◦ C. Figure 3 shows
the detailed size of the tensile specimen. The tensile experiment was carried out at room
temperature, during which the load speed was set as 1 mm·min−1 . The metallographic
Figure
samples2. of
Schematic diagram
weld metal of welded
were cut from thejoints
centerand selection
position of test specimens.
perpendicular to the weld.

3. The
Figure 3.
Figure Thesize
sizeofofthethe
tensile specimen.
tensile specimen.
3. Results and Discussion
3.3.1.
Results
Effect ofand Discussion
Arc Length on Oxygen Content of Weld Metal
3.1. Effect
Figureof4Arc Length
shows on Oxygen
the oxygen Content
content of weldofmetal
Weldunder
Metaldifferent arc lengths. As the
arc length rises from 2.9 mm to 9.2 mm, the oxygen content increased by 71.4%, significantly
Figure 4 shows the oxygen content of weld metal under different arc lengths. As
from 217 ppm to 372 ppm. When the arc length was 4.5 mm and 9.2 mm, the oxygen content
arc length
of weld metalrises from
was 235 ppm2.9
andmm to 9.2
284 ppm, mm, the oxygen content increased by 71.4
respectively.
significantly
The high-speed photographic images of dropletsthe
from 217 ppm to 372 ppm. When arcdifferent
under length was 4.5 mm
arc lengths areand
given9.2 mm,
oxygen
in Figurecontent
5. It canofbeweld
seen metal
that thewas
mode235
of ppm and
droplet 284 ppm,
transfer respectively.
was ODPP, although the arc
length was different. When the arc length was 2.9, 4.5, 6.5, 9.2 mm, the measured frequency
of droplets was 94, 102, 111, and 122, respectively. Since the speed of wire feed remained
unchanged in the experiments, the size of a single droplet would become smaller under the
ODPP droplet transfer mode with the frequency of droplets rising, contributing that the
specific surface area of liquid droplets increased and the metallurgical reaction between
droplets and arc was strengthened. Moreover, the speed of the droplet slowed down with
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the rise of arc length and the time of the droplet passing through the high-temperature arc
increased from Figure 5. Therefore, the intensity and duration of an oxidation reaction in
the whole droplet reaction zone increased, as well as the oxygen content of droplets. Finally,
Crystals 2022, 12, x FOR PEER REVIEW
the oxygen element was transferred into the weld pool through the droplets, resulting in
the increase of the oxygen content of the weld metal.

Figure 4. Oxygen content of weld metal under different arc lengths.

The high-speed photographic images of droplets under different arc lengths are
given in Figure 5. It can be seen that the mode of droplet transfer was ODPP, although the
arc length was different. When the arc length was 2.9, 4.5, 6.5, 9.2 mm, the measured fre-
quency of droplets was 94, 102, 111, and 122, respectively. Since the speed of wire feed
remained unchanged in the experiments, the size of a single droplet would become
smaller under the ODPP droplet transfer mode with the frequency of droplets rising, con-
tributing that the specific surface area of liquid droplets increased and the metallurgical
reaction between droplets and arc was strengthened. Moreover, the speed of the droplet
slowed down with the rise of arc length and the time of the droplet passing through the
high-temperature arc increased from Figure 5. Therefore, the intensity and duration of an
oxidation reaction in the whole droplet reaction zone increased, as well as the oxygen
content of4.4.
Figure
Figure droplets.
Oxygen
Oxygen Finally,
content the
of weld
content oxygen element
metal metal
of weld under was
different
under arctransferred
lengths.
different into the weld pool
arc lengths.
through the droplets, resulting in the increase of the oxygen content of the weld metal.

The high-speed photographic images of droplets under different arc lengt

given in Figure 5. It can be seen that the mode of droplet transfer was ODPP, althou
arc length was different. When the arc length was 2.9, 4.5, 6.5, 9.2 mm, the mea
frequency of droplets was 94, 102, 111, and 122, respectively. Since the speed of wir
remained unchanged in the experiments, the size of a single droplet would b
smaller under the ODPP droplet transfer mode with the frequency of droplets
contributing that the specific surface area of liquid droplets increased an
metallurgical reaction between droplets and arc was strengthened. Moreover, the
of the droplet slowed down with the rise of arc length and the time of the droplet p
through the high-temperature arc increased from Figure 5. Therefore, the intensit
duration of an oxidation reaction in the whole droplet reaction zone increased, as w
the oxygen content of droplets. Finally, the oxygen element was transferred into the
pool through the droplets, resulting in the increase of the oxygen content of the
metal.
(a)

Figure 5. Cont.
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12, x FOR PEER REVIEW 5 of 10 5 of 10

(b)

(c)

(d)

Figure 5. High-speed
Figure photographic
5. High-speed imagesimages
photographic of droplets under different
of droplets arc lengths.
under different Arc length:
arc lengths. Arc(a)length:
2.9 mm; (b) mm;
(a) 2.9 4.5 mm; (c) 6.5
(b) 4.5 mm; mm; (d) mm;
(c) 6.5 9.2 mm.
(d) 9.2 mm.
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3.2. Effect of Arc Length on Mechanical Properties of Weld Metal

3.2. Effect of Arc Length on Mechanical Properties of Weld Metal
The mechanical
3.2. Effect of Arc Length properties
on Mechanical ofProperties
weld metal were
of Weld given in Figures 6 and 7. It can be seen
Metal
Thetensile
that the mechanical properties of weld metalof were given in Figures 6 and 7. Itdecreased
can be seen
The mechanical properties of weld metal were given metal
strength and yield strength weld both
in Figures gradually
6 and 7. It can be seen with
that
the the
that rise tensile strength
of arcstrength
the tensile length,and and
butyieldyield strength
the strength
−40 °C impact of weld
energy
of weld metal metal
and
both both gradually
the elongation
gradually decreased
decreasedrose. with
As the arc
with the
the
rise rise
length oflength,
of arc
grew arcfrom
length,
but2.9 but
themm−40the −40
to◦ C9.2 °C impact
impact
mm, energy energy
and
the tensile the and the
elongation
strength elongation
rose. Asfrom
decreased rose.
the arc AsMPa
the arc
length
781 to 729
length
grew grew
from 2.9from
mm 2.9
to 9.2mmmm, to 9.2
the mm,
tensile the tensile
strength strength
decreased decreased
from 781 MPa from
to 781
729 MPaMPa to 729
and
MPa and the −40 °C impact energy increased from 79 J to 116 J.
MPa 40 ◦ Cthe
the −and −40 °C
impact impact
energy energyfrom
increased increased
79 J tofrom
116 J.79 J to 116 J.

Figure 6.Tensile
6.
Figure 6. Tensileproperties
Tensile properties
properties ofweld
ofof weld
weld metal
metal
metal under
under
under different
different
different arcarc lengths.
lengths.
arc lengths.

Figure 7. −40 °C impact energy of weld metal under different arc lengths.
7. −
Figure 7.
Figure 40 ◦°C
−40 C impact
impactenergy
energyofof
weld metal
weld under
metal different
under arc lengths.
different arc lengths.
The chemical
The chemicalcomposition
compositionofofweld weld wire
wire is shown
is shown in Table
in Table 2. With
2. With the increase
the increase of arcof arc
The
length, thechemical
content composition
of various alloyofelements
weld wire in is
the shown
weld in Table
metal 2. With
showed a the increase
decreasing of arc
trend,
length, the content of various alloy elements in the weld metal showed a decreasing trend,
length,
giventhe
as given in content
Table3.3.Itof
inTable It
canvarious
can
bebe alloy
seen
seen elements
thatthat
the the inofthe
decrease
decrease ofweld
alloy alloy metal showed
elements’
elements’ content a decreasing
content
was to trend,
was related
related
as given
thethe
to in
increased Table
oxygen
increased 3.
oxygenIt can
content.be seen
WithWith
content. that the
the increase decrease of
in arc length,
the increase alloy elements’
the oxidation
in arc length, content of the related
was
reaction reaction
the oxidation of
to
the droplets was enhanced, resulting in a more serious burning loss of metal alloy of
the increased
droplets was oxygen
enhanced, content.
resulting in aWith
more the increase
serious burning in arc
losslength,
of metalthe oxidation
alloy elements reaction
of
the droplets
welding
elements wire. was enhanced,
Therefore,
of welding wire. resulting
the tensile strength
Therefore, in
thewas a the
more
tensile serious
largest
strengthunder burning
wasthe the lossarcoflength
shortest
largest metalthe
under alloy
(781 MPa)
elements
shortest arcand the
oflength smallest
welding (729
(781 wire. MPa) under
Therefore,
MPa) and the longest
the tensile
the smallest (729 MPa) arc length.
strength
under was the largest
the longest under the
arc length.
shortest arc length (781 MPa) and the smallest (729 MPa) under the longest arc length.
Table 2.2.Chemical
Table Chemicalcomposition
compositionofof
weld wire
weld (wt.%).
wire (wt.%).
Table 2. Chemical composition of weld wire (wt.%).
C Si MnC Cu
Si Mn Cr Cu Ni Cr Mo
Ni MoAl Al Ti Ti
0.073 0.59 C
1.62
0.073 Si
0.25
0.59 Mn0.09
1.62 Cu 1.78 0.09
0.25 Cr 0.033Ni
1.78 Mo
0.028
0.033 Al
0.023
0.028 0.023Ti
0.073 0.59 1.62 0.25 0.09 1.78 0.033 0.028 0.023
Crystals 2022, 12, 176 7 of 10
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Table 3. Chemical composition of weld metal under different arc lengths (wt.%).
Table 3. Chemical composition of weld metal under different arc lengths (wt.%).
Arc Length
C Si Mn Cu Cr Ni Mo Al Ti
ArcLLength
a /mm La/mm C Si Mn Cu Cr Ni Mo Al Ti
2.9 2.9 0.0630.063 0.470.47 1.511.51 0.19
0.19 0.07
0.07 1.71
1.71 0.029
0.029 0.017
0.017 0.017
0.017
4.5 4.5 0.0620.062 0.460.46 1.491.49 0.18
0.18 0.06
0.06 1.71
1.71 0.029
0.029 0.016
0.016 0.016
0.016
6.5 6.5 0.0530.053 0.410.41 1.421.42 0.16
0.16 0.04
0.04 1.66
1.66 0.026
0.026 0.009
0.009 0.009
0.009
9.2 0.047 0.38 1.37 0.13 0.02 1.61 0.022 0.006 0.007
9.2 0.047 0.38 1.37 0.13 0.02 1.61 0.022 0.006 0.007

Fromthe
From themetallographic
metallographicmicrostructure
microstructure(shown
(shownin inFigure
Figure8),
8),ititcan
canbebeseen
seenthat
thatthe
the
weld
weldmetal
metalconsisted
consistedof ofacicular
acicularferrite
ferrite(AF),
(AF),lath
lathbainite
bainite(LB),
(LB),and
andgranular
granularbainite
bainite (GB).
(GB).
When
Whenthethearc
arclength
lengthwaswas2.9
2.9mm,
mm,ananobvious
obviousLB LBmicrostructure
microstructurecancanbe befound,
found,which
whichwaswas
the
thestrengthening
strengthening phase. Therefore, the
phase. Therefore, thehighest
highesttensile
tensilestrength
strengthcan
canbebe obtained.
obtained. When
When the
the
arcarc length
length reached
reached 9.29.2
mm,mm,thethe microstructure
microstructure of the
of the weldweld metal
metal was was mainly
mainly AF,AF,
butbut
LB
LB
cancan hardly
hardly bebefound.
found.AtAtthethesame
sametime,
time, GB
GB became
became finer and and more
moredispersed.
dispersed. The The
AFgrains
AFgrains were
werefine
fineand
andcross-distributed
cross-distributed atataalarge
largeangle,
angle,which
whichdivided
dividedthe theoriginal
original
austenite structure and can hinder the crack propagation, belonging to
austenite structure and can hinder the crack propagation, belonging to the toughening the toughening
phase.
phase.When
Whenthethemicrocrack
microcrackpropagated,
propagated,it had
it to
hadovercome the obstacle
to overcome of a large
the obstacle ofnumber
a large
of AF, contributing to the greater − 40 ◦ C impact energy of weld metal.
number of AF, contributing to the greater −40 °C impact energy of weld metal.

(a) (b)
Figure8.8. Metallographic
Figure Metallographic microstructure
microstructure of
of weld
weldmetal
metalunder
underdifferent
differentarc
arclengths.
lengths.Arc length:
Arc (a)
length:
2.9 mm; (b) 9.2 mm.
(a) 2.9 mm; (b) 9.2 mm.

Figure99shows
Figure showsthe theimpact
impactofoffracture
fracturemorphology
morphologyof ofweld
weldmetal
metalunder underdifferent
differentarc
arc
lengths. Obvious cleavage steps but few dimples can be found when
lengths. Obvious cleavage steps but few dimples can be found when the arc length is 2.9 the arc length is 2.9
mm.When
mm. Whenthe theplastic
plasticdeformation
deformationwas wasblocked,
blocked,the thestress
stressininthe
thelocal
localstrong
strongdeformation
deformation
areawas
area wasrelatively
relativelyconcentrated
concentrated andand
thethe initiated
initiated crack
crack expanded
expanded along along the cleavage
the cleavage sur-
surface
face to release
to release the the stress,
stress, resulting
resulting in the
in the cleavage
cleavage steps.Cleavage
steps. Cleavagestepsstepswere
weregenerally
generally
consideredasas
considered being
being thethe characteristic
characteristic morphology
morphology of brittle
of brittle fracture.fracture. Therefore,
Therefore, the
the elonga-
elongation
tion and theand ◦ C −40
−40the °C impact
impact energy energy
were thewere the when
lowest lowestarc when arc was
length length
2.9 was
mm.2.9 mm.
When
When
the the arc
arc length waslength
9.2 mm, was 9.2areas
most mm,inmost areas fracture
the impact in the wereimpact fracture
dimple were dimple
morphology. The
morphology.
torn edge of the The torn edge
dimple of the dimple
was obvious and awas
few obvious
scatteredand a few scattered
cleavage steps werecleavage steps
surrounded
by a large
were number ofby
surrounded dimples.
a largeAsnumber
a result, of
better plasticity
dimples. As and toughness
a result, bettercanplasticity
be achieved.
and
toughness can be achieved.
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(a)
(a) (b)
(b)
Figure 9.
Figure 9. Impact fracture
fracture morphology of
of weld
weld metal
metal under
under different
different arc
arc lengths.
lengths. Arc
Arc length: (a)
(a) 2.9
2.9
Figure 9. Impact
Impact fracturemorphology
morphology of weld metal under different arc lengths. length:
Arc length:
mm; (b)
mm; (b) 9.2
9.2 mm.
mm.
(a) 2.9 mm; (b) 9.2 mm.

Micromorphologyusing
Micromorphology
Micromorphology usingscanning
using scanning
scanning electron
electron
electron microscope
microscope
microscope (SEM) (SEM)
(SEM) andandand
X-ray X-ray
X-ray
energy energy
energy
dis-
dispersion
dispersion spectrometry
spectrometry (EDS)
(EDS) analysis
analysis result
result of
of inclusion
inclusion
persion spectrometry (EDS) analysis result of inclusion in the dimple of impact fracture in
in the
the dimple
dimple of
of impact
impact fracture
fracture
ofweld
of
of weldmetal
weld metalis
metal isshown
is shown in
shown in Figure
Figure 10.10. It
It can
It can
canbe be seen
beseenseenthatthat spherical
thatspherical inclusions
sphericalinclusions
inclusionswerewere found
werefound
found at
at
the
the
at thebottom
bottom
bottom of the
of of
thethe dimples.
dimples.
dimples. According
According
According to the
to the EDS
to EDS
the EDS analysis
analysis result,
result,
analysis the inclusions
the inclusions
result, the inclusionswere made
were were
made
from O,
from
made O, Al,
fromAl,O, Si,Al,
Si, Ti, Si,
Ti, Mn,
Mn, Fe,
Ti,Fe,Mn,Ni,Fe,
Ni, Mo,
Mo, and
and
Ni, Mo, other
other elements.
andelements.
other elements. Considering
Considering O element
O
Considering element is not
is
O elementnot easy
easy
is
to combine
to
not combine with Ni
with
easy to combine Ni with
and Mo,
and Mo, Ni, Mo,
Ni,
Ni and and Mo
and Mo and
Ni, in the
in theMo EDS
EDS analysis
analysis
in the result may
result
EDS analysis may come
come
result may from
fromcome the
the
base the
base
from of weld
of weld metal.
basemetal.
of weld The
The inclusions
inclusions
metal. of weld
of
The inclusionsweld metalmetal
of weld are often
are often
metalthe the compounds
arecompounds or composites
or
often the compounds composites or
formed by the
formed by formed
composites combination
the combination of multiple
of multiple
by the combination elements.
of elements.
multiple elements. Therefore, it
Therefore,Therefore, can be inferred
it can beitinferred that the
that the
can be inferred
inclusions
that
inclusions may contain
the inclusions
may contain O, Al,
may contain
O, Al, O,Si,Al,
Si, Ti,Si,
Ti, Mn,
Mn, Fe,
Ti,Fe,
Mn,and and otherother
Fe, other
and elements,
elements,
elements, andand
and the the
the oxides
oxides
oxides of the
of the
of
above
the above
above elements
elements
elements (including
(including
(including TiO
TiOTiO , SiO
2 , SiO
2, SiO
2 , MnO
2 , MnO
2, MnO
2 ,
2, Al
2 Al O
2 ,2Al
2 ,
O32, O
3 FeO, and
3 , FeO,
FeO, andand their
their composites)
their composites)
composites) were
were werethe
the
main
the main
main components.
components.
components. In In
In addition,
addition,
addition, with
with
with the
the rise
therise
riseof ofofarc
arc length,
arclength,
length, thethe oxygen
oxygen content
content in inweld
in weld
weld
metalincreased,
metal
metal increased,which
increased, whichindicated
which indicatedthat
indicated thatthe
that thenumber
the numberof
number ofinclusions
of inclusionsin
inclusions inthe
in theimpact
the impactfracture
impact fracturealso
fracture also
also
increased.
increased. Inclusions
Inclusions promoted
promoted the the
nucleation nucleation
of acicular
increased. Inclusions promoted the nucleation of acicular ferrite and dimples, of acicular
ferrite and ferrite
dimples, and dimples,
contributing
contributing
to the growthto
contributing to the
ofthe growthand
plasticity
growth of plasticity
of plasticity
toughness and
and toughness
of toughness
weld metal. of A
of weld
similar
weld metal.
metal. A similar
effect
A similar effect of
of the oxygen
effect of
the oxygen
content on the
the oxygen content on the
microstructure
content microstructure
and mechanical
on the microstructure and mechanical properties
properties properties
and mechanical was
was also observed also
was also in observed
Zhang’s
observed in
in
Zhang’s
studies
Zhang’s studies [16,17].
[16,17].
studies [16,17].

(a)
(a) (b)
(b)
Figure10.
Figure
Figure 10.(a)
10. (a)SEM
(a) SEMmicromorphology
SEM micromorphologyof
micromorphology ofan
of anarea
an areaof
area ofdimples
of dimplesof
dimples ofimpact
of impactfracture
impact fracturewhen
fracture whenarc
when arclength
arc lengthwas
length was
was
9.2mm;
9.2
9.2 mm;(b)
mm; (b)EDS
(b) EDSanalysis
EDS analysisofof
analysis ofpoint
pointAA
point Ainin
in(a).
(a).
(a).

4.4.
4.Conclusions
Conclusions
Conclusions
The
Theeffect
The effectof
effect ofarc
of arclength
arc lengthon
length onoxygen
on oxygencontent
oxygen contentand
content andmechanical
and mechanicalproperties
mechanical propertiesof
properties ofweld
of weldmetal
weld metal
metal
during
duringpulsed
during pulsedGMAW
pulsed GMAW
GMAW waswas
studied
was in this
studied
studied in paper.
in this The main
this paper.
paper. Theconclusions
The can be summa-
main conclusions
main conclusions can be
can be
rized below:
summarized below:
summarized below:
Crystals 2022, 12, 176 9 of 10

(1) As the arc length raised from 2.9 mm to 9.2 mm, the transfer time increased but the
droplet size diminished. Meanwhile, the oxidation reacted more completely in the
droplet transfer zone, and the oxygen content of the weld metal increased significantly
from 217 ppm to 372 ppm.
(2) When the arc length increased from 2.9 mm to 9.2 mm, the tensile strength of the weld
metal reduced from 781 MPa to 729 MPa but the −40 ◦ C impact energy heightened
from 79 J to 116 J.
(3) Due to the longer arc, the proportion of AF in the microstructure decreased, but the
proportion of LB and GB decreased. With the rise of arc length, the cleavage step
morphology decreased in the impact fracture however, the dimples increased.
(4) The more oxygen content of weld metal was useful for the formation of inclusions in
impact fracture. Inclusions promoted the nucleation of acicular ferrite and dimples,
contributing to the growth of plasticity and toughness of weld metal.

Author Contributions: Conceptualization, J.X.; methodology, X.Z. and D.Z.; software, J.X.; validation,
J.X.; formal analysis, J.X.; investigation, J.X.; resources, J.X.; data curation, J.X.; writing—original
draft preparation, J.X.; writing—review and editing, J.X.; visualization, J.X.; supervision, J.X.; project
administration, J.X.; funding acquisition, J.X. All authors have read and agreed to the published
version of the manuscript.
Funding: This project is supported by the introduction of a talent research start-up fund of Nanjing
Vocational University of Industry Technology (Grant No. YK21-02-05).
Institutional Review Board Statement: Not applicable.
Informed Consent Statement: Not applicable.
Data Availability Statement: Not applicable.
Acknowledgments: The authors sincerely acknowledge the financial support by introduction of
a talent research start-up fund of Nanjing Vocational University of Industry Technology, Grant
No. YK21-02-05.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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