Thermal cycles in multiple electrode submerged arc welding

Multiple electrode submerged arc welding (SAW) is often used to increase the deposition rate in high productivity fabrication. However, while the development and application of the process have succeeded, the approach has not been systematic, and there is limited scientific information available regarding the process. This paper is concerned with the thermal cycles and resulting weld bead shape in four-electrode SAW. The experimental data were obtained with embedded thermocouples, by macroscopic examination of sections, and by weld pool ejection. The discussion considers the relationship between the welding conditions, the thermal responses and bead profiles. Data describing the geometry of the solidification boundary during the welding process are included and used to augment the description of the heat flow outside the weld pool. The study concludes that one may anticipate and control many features of the thermal response and bead profile.