Effect of silane-doped argon shielding gases for gas metal arc welding of S355

Abstract The welding of steel grades relies primarily on the interaction of the weld metal with doped oxygen components of the shielding gas. This mainly serves to decrease the viscosity and reduce the surface tension of the melt in order to achieve an adjusted material transition. Interference with the ambient atmosphere is undesirable in this context. In order to prevent material-related changes in the microstructure, slag initiators are admixed which promote the precipitation of low-density oxides on the weld seam surface. Manufacturing technology is increasingly striving to eliminate the interaction of atmospheric oxygen in the production process. It is primarily intended to counteract the negative effects of oxygen during manufacturing. For this objective, silane-doped gases for subtractive manufacturing processes and additive manufacturing via the PBF-LB/M process have been considered. Small amounts of silane in conventional inert shielding gases allow partial pressures of oxygen that are comparable to a high vacuum. In the scope of this publication on investigations for welding applications, blind welds on S355 substrate plates were performed using G3Si1 filler material. In addition to the recommended M21, an argon shielding gas with 1.5% silane doping and argon 4.6 are applied for welding. Apart from the observation of the resulting energy input, the weld seams are metallographically characterized. For this purpose, the formation of silicates on the weld seam surface and the development of the weld seam within the base material are investigated. The volume of the weld seam is reduced as a result of the silane doping compared to the M21 application. The composition of the weld metal is significantly influenced by the silane content, leading to an increased manganese content in particular. The silane doping results in an intensified formation of an acicular bainitic structure and an accompanying hardening within the weld metal.