Weldox 700 is a high-strength steel plate known for its exceptional toughness, durability, and resistance to wear and tear. However, when welding this type of steel, there are some important factors to consider if you want to optimize your welding process and achieve the best possible results. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some best practices for welding the Weldox 700 plate that will help you master this material and get the most out of your welding process.
What is a Weldox 700 plate?
Weldox 700 is a high-strength structural steel plate produced by SSAB Swedish Steel Corporation. Its excellent combination of strength, toughness, and weldability makes it ideal for use in applications with high loads and stresses. The plate features exceptional notch impact energy absorption at temperatures as low as -50°C and very good low-temperature toughness properties. Furthermore, Weldox 700 displays excellent characteristics when cold forming or bending is required due to its unique manufacturing process used at the mill, which ensures a tight radius even after multiple bends without cracking. It is often used in components for lifts, bridges, cranes or any application requiring superior strength-to-weight ratios.
How to Optimize the Welding Process
Proper Preheating:
Preheating is a crucial step in welding, especially when dealing with high-strength steel like Weldox 700. Before welding, it’s important to preheat the base material to the appropriate temperature to help prevent cracking and ensure good weld quality. It would help if you always referred to the manufacturer’s instructions for the recommended preheating temperature and time, as these specifications can vary depending on the thickness and composition of the plate.
Choosing the Right Filler Metal:
Another important consideration when welding Weldox 700 plate is the selection of the appropriate filler metal. The filler metal should have tensile strength and toughness that is at least comparable to the base material. Some recommended filler metals for Weldox 700 include AWS E11018, AWS E12018, and AWS E120ST. It’s also important to ensure the filler metal is clean and free of contaminants before use.
Proper Welding Technique:
The welding technique used for Weldox 700 will depend on the thickness and type of plate being welded. It’s generally recommended to use a low-hydrogen welding process such as SMAW (Shielded Metal Arc Welding) or FCAW (Flux-Cored Arc Welding), as these processes can help to minimize the risk of hydrogen-induced cracking. Additionally, it’s important to maintain a consistent travel speed, arc length, and heat input to ensure good fusion and minimize distortion.
Post-Weld Heat Treatment:
After welding is complete, it’s important to perform post-weld heat treatment to help relieve residual stresses and improve the strength and toughness of the welded joint. This can involve using a stress-relieving oven or maintaining the proper
Temperature and time in a heated environment. Again, the specific requirements for post-weld heat treatment will depend on the thickness and composition of the Weldox 700 plate.
Quality Control and Inspection:
Lastly, performing quality control and inspection measures is important to ensure that the welded joint meets the required standards and specifications. This can involve non-destructive testing methods like X-ray, ultrasonic, or magnetic particle inspection. Visual inspection should also check for weld defects such as undercutting, porosity, and lack of fusion.
Conclusion
By following these best practices for optimizing your welding process for Weldox 700 plate, you can achieve high-quality welded joints that deliver exceptional strength, durability, and resistance to wear and tear. Always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions and recommended welding parameters and perform thorough quality control and inspection measures to ensure that the final product meets the required standards and specifications. With these key steps in mind, you’ll be well on your way to mastering Weldox 700 and achieving outstanding results with your welding process.
