Heat input and metal transfer influences on the weld geometry and microstructure during underwater wet FCAW
Abstract FCAW experiments were conducted under water and in the air. Influences of surrounding water on the weld geometry and weld metal microstructure were investigated through analyzing the heat input and metal transfer. The underwater welds have a lower proportion of acicular ferrite and pro eutectoid ferrite. Two metal transfer modes in wet FCAW were observed, i.e. repelled globular transfer and surface tension based quasi short circuit transfer. The former one is the main cause of asymmetric and less uniform weld appearance.