Investigational study and microstructural comparison of MIG welding process for with and without activated flux

In this study, the impact of the various oxide fluxes in activated metal inert gas (MIG) welding of SS316 has been studied. Three distinct fluxes ZnO, Al2O3, and SiO2have been used for welding of 5 mm thick plate. The process parameters such as welding voltage, welding current, and activated flux have been considered as input parameters whereas responses are Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS), Depth of Penetration, as well as Microstructure have been analyzed. Welding experimentation has been carried out using MINITAB 19 software using Taguchi approach, with L9 orthogonal array. The Microstructural analysis results with the use of SEM were found to have a better-ordered grain structure and improved the structure, surface, and pattern of the weld with flux than those produced without flux. This study aims to study the impact of oxide fluxes on welding parameters and welding morphology and to study the microstructure characteristics of with and without flux welding using Scanning Electron Microscope results.