Effect of alumina addition on weld deposits microstructure at the welding of carbon steel

The formation of acicular ferrite in the structure of weld deposits when welding carbon steels is often associated with the introduction of nonmetallic additives into the electrode material. Fe–alumina composite powders with alumina particles less than 1 μm were used as a filler for cored welding wire and the influence of aluminum oxide additives up to 2,5 wt.% on the structure of the welded seam was studied. It was shown that the addition of aluminum oxide to the welding wire led to the initiation of the formation of intragranular acicular ferrite in the weld deposit and to a more even distribution of hardness through the zones of weld seam.