What is Submerged Arc Welding?

Submerged arc welding (SAW) is an arc welding process that uses an arc or arc between a bare metal electrode or electrodes and the weld pool. The arc and molten metal are shielded by a blanket of granular flux on the workpieces. The process is used without pressure and with filler metal from the electrode and sometimes from a supplemental source (welding rod, flux, or metal granules).

Why submerged arc welding is used?

SAW is primarily used for welding ferrous metals, but can also be used to weld non-ferrous metals. The process is commonly used to weld ferrous metals, but can also be used to weld non-ferrous metals. SAW is typically used in heavy industries such as:

shipbuilding,
boiler and pressure vessel fabrication,
petrochemical plants,
power generation facilities,
and offshore construction.

What is the difference between arc welding and submerged arc welding?

The main difference between arc welding and submerged arc welding is that in submerged arc welding, the arc is shielded by a layer of granular flux. This helps to improve the quality of the weld and reduces the number of fumes and spatter.

What are the advantages of submerged arc welding?

Submerged arc welding has a number of advantages over other arc welding processes, including:

Higher deposition rates.
Increased productivity.
Reduced operator fatigue.
Reduced fume and spatter levels.

What are the disadvantages of submerged arc welding?

Submerged arc welding also has a number of disadvantages, including:

Limited to flat or horizontal surfaces.
Requires special equipment.
Not suitable for welding thin materials.

What are the characteristics of submerged arc welding?

The main characteristics of submerged arc welding are:

High deposition rates.
Low fume and spatter levels.
Efficient heat transfer.
Good penetration.

What are the applications of submerged arc welding?

Submerged arc welding is commonly used in heavy industries such as shipbuilding, boiler and pressure vessel fabrication, petrochemical plants, power generation facilities, and offshore construction.