Mass Transfer and Weld Appearance of 316L Stainless Steel Covered Electrode During Shielded Metal Arc Welding

The mass transfer and the weld appearance of 316L stainless steel covered electrodes during shielded metal arc welding were investigated. According to the experimental measurements on the deposited metal and the observations on the welding process, the mass transfer coefficient of the nickel was found to be in the range of 88.09 to 99.41 pct, while those of molybdenum, chromium, manganese, and silicon are in the ranges of 84.60 to 92.51 pct, 71.59 to 77.64 pct, 20.88 to 30.15 pct, and 6.72 to 10.47 pct, respectively. Some relationships between the mass transfer and the flux coating ingredient/welding current were established. The formability properties of the weld, including the spreadability, spattering, slag detachability, and oxidation tint on the weld surface, were also discussed based on the tested data and the observations.