Effects of electrode type on the mechanical properties of weldments of some steel samples produced in Nigeria

The effects of electrode types on the mechanical properties of weldments produced from three steel samples made locally in Nigeria have been investigated. Oerlikon, Santan, Power Master and Magnum electrode samples were separately used to join Homus, Universal and Spanish steel samples. The chemical compositions of the steel samples, electrodes core and coating were obtained using spectrometer before using them for the research. Mechanical properties of the weldment produced were determined and compared to the unwelded samples. This was done in order to provide information on which combination of steel and electrode type will produce weldment with optimum mechanical properties. Oerlikon electrode produces weldments with optimum tensile strength of 508.25 N/mm2 and impact energy of 152.76J for Homus Steel, it also produced highest tensile strength of 449.92 N/mm2 and impact energy of 103.042J for Spanish Steels while Power Master Electrode produced weldment with highest tensile strength of 482.96N/mm2 and impact energy of 137.033J for Universal Steel. The results show that single electrode type cannot produce weldment with highest properties for all the selected steel samples.