Physical simulation of oxidation colour caused by welding process

Abstract

Welding is one of the most commonly used binding technologies in metalworking. Its use is widespread in every field of the industry, ranging from small, local businesses to huge industrial companies. Thanks to this, numerous welding techniques were invented, and the number of so-called „modern welding processes” keeps growing by the day, in addition to the fresh, but steadily improving automated welding robots.

During the process of arc welding, the surface of the steel changes its colour according to the maximum temperature of the heated area. Consequently, the maximum temperature of a given area during the welding process can be determined with the help of the colour of the steel surface.

In the article, we present a series of tests, in which we examine the colour of the generated oxid layer on the surface of the S355J2N steel test specimen, by heating the object to the required temperature with the help of the GLEBBLE 3500 termomechanical physical simulator. Thus in the future we might have the opportunity to determine the maximum temperature of parts of the heated area, in case of same material grade. As a result, the potential mechanical properties, and the developed texture of the particular areas might be estimated.