Effect of Oxide Fluxes on Depth of Penetration in Flux Bounded Tungsten Inert Gas Welding of AISI 304L Stainless Steel

Flux Bounded Tungsten Inert Gas (FBTIG) welding is a modified TIG welding process in which increased depth of penetration (DoP) can be achieved by laying thin flux coatings on either side of the weld centerline. The effect of three single component fluxes viz., SiO₂, TiO₂ and Cr₂O₃ on bead geometry of autogenous melt runs in AISI 304L stainless steel for the gap between the flux layers varying from 2 to 7 mm, is studied. Results show that DoP can be improved significantly in FBTIG process using single component fluxes. Nature of the flux and the gap between the flux layers influence the weld bead geometry. Among the three fluxes used, SiO₂ is more efficient in improving the DoP. Arc constriction is the predominant mechanism operative in improving the DoP in FBTIG welding. Possibility of change in solidification mode in FBTIG weld metals of stainless steels is highlighted.