Heat input in full penetration welds in gas metal arc welding (GMAW)

Weld bead characteristics are metallurgically controlled by heat input, which depends on the welding parameters. However, for numerous welding specialists, an accurate measurement of the current, voltage, and welding speed is enough for preventing unambiguous process specifications. But a comprehensive knowledge of the effect of others parameters, such as plate thickness and the type of pass to be performed (full penetration, root pass, or filler pass), is also required if a less conservative welding procedure is aimed. The goal of the present paper is to increase the ability to control the quality of the welding processes used in production by considering the effect of heat losses through the back side of the weld by radiation for full penetration welding, when developing welding procedure specifications. It is concluded that the thermal efficiency factor and, consequently, the heat input need to be differentiated in the welding specifications for full penetration welding.