APPLICATION OF WELTEC E6013 ELECTRODE IN WET UNDERWATER WELDING FOR LOW CARBON STEEL AISI 1015

• Main Author: FADHLI, AFIF
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/74635
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Wet underwater welding is one of some important metal joining methods in oversea industry and construction, one of the common welding methods that are used is Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), compared to other method such as GTAW, GMAW or FCAW this method is easier and not using complicated equipments. Electrode that is used in this research is E6013 which is commonly used for dry welding in open air atmosphere, in this research the electrode is modified by giving wax layer outside of its surface. This wax layer is hoped could give protection from water infiltration to its flux, furthermore, the welding quality would be as good as dry welding. Welding simulation that is done in this research is that the welding operator dive water and do welding acts in it. Welding quality tests that are done to know the welding quality are checking parameters influence on arc characteristic, visual checking, metallographic and mechanic test on low carbon steel AISI 1015 welding. In this research, there are some undercuts and incomplete penetration existed. Otherwise, porosities and martensite phase are not major losses in this weld metal. Hardness number that is get is not more than 370 HVN. In conclusion, based on AWS D3.6M: 1999 (standard that is used in this welding procedure), this electrode cannot be used in underwater wet welding based on its losses, but these losses are not caused by the electrode, it is caused by its welding operator that is not certified in welding. So that, for next research certified welding operator is an important thing and also other material could be used as a layer to the electrode.