GMAW process with rotating electrode: an advanced alternative to improve cladding performance

This work shows that superaustenitic stainless steel weld claddings deposited by the GMAW Process with Rotating Electrode (GMAW-RE) can be a candidate to replace the GMAW process, a procedure widely applied in the industry. Single layer weld claddings were deposited by the GMAW-RE process using different rotation frequencies. After welding, macrographic analysis to determine the main geometric characteristics and micrographic examination by scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive spectrometry, and electron backscattering diffraction techniques to evaluate the microstructure were performed. The results showed that the deposits obtained by the GMAW-RE process are more homogeneous and shallow than those provided by the GMAW process. In addition, the penetration and thickness of the weld bead decreases with increasing frequency. The microstructural characterization revealed an austenitic matrix containing a low fraction of the Chi phase. These results indicate that the double layer claddings obtained by the GMAW-RE process have the potential to be an advantageous alternative for claddings because double layer deposits can achieve acceptable performance.