Effect of polarity on penetration in welding

of steel with coated electrode

Anizio Cesar Silveira de Souza1

Marilene Miranda Viana2
Marco Luiz de Souza Florias3

Summary

The present work aims to demonstrate, in light of experimentation, the advantages and
disadvantages of the polarity effect on penetration in welding steel with coated electrode.
Experimental trials were conducted where the veracity of the literature regarding the
theme, where it is concluded that the penetration of the weld beads executed with Direct Current
with Reverse Polarity is greater than the penetration of the weld beads executed with Current
Continues with Direct Polarity.

Palavras chave:Penetração. Polaridade. Arco elétrico.

1
Master in Mechanical and Materials Engineering; Specialist in Industrial Maintenance; Graduate in
Teaching of specific subjects for technical courses. Teacher at the Fluminense Federal Institute, Campus
Center–RJ [Link]@[Link]
2Mestranda em Engenharia de Produção; Pós Graduada em Sistema de Informações; Graduado para o Magistério

of Specific Disciplines of Technical Courses; Teacher at the Fluminense Federal Institute, Centro–RJ Campus
[Link]@[Link]
3Bachelor's degree in Mathematics. Active teacher in the field of [Link]@[Link]
1. Introduction
1.1. The evolution of industry in global and national terms.
The mission of the industry is, and has always been, to transform processes. The manufacturing industry
it consists of transforming raw material into various products that will be directly intended
to the consumer, or reprocessed until they are used by it.
The historical evolution of the industrial process had its main milestone starting from the
industrial revolution, where, from the need for construction and reconstruction of processes,
The provision of machines and equipment suitable for the new circumstances was significant. It is certain
that the process was triggered at a global level, starting in England and spreading throughout
Europe and the United States. Although the countries have taken different paths to get there,
once the demands were differentiated even based on the degree of devastation
through which they have passed. In this scenario, one of the great examples of reconstruction that
currently emerging in the world is Japan, which found itself devastated after the second great war,
in completely disadvantaged conditions and had to adapt to large
changes, having evolved in an industrial and technological context that places it in times
current as a model of industrial and technological revolution.
In differentiated forms within a global context, the fact is that the great milestone for the
evolution and innovation in the industry, transforming processes, began with the First
Industrial Revolution, dated from the year 1760, marked its transition to new processes.
ofmanufacturingnot between that year at some point between 1820 and 1840, the latter period
called the Second Industrial Revolution. This chronological time is based on an average
of studies conducted among the various literatures on the subject, as there is a divergence between
the various authors, but generally speaking, in average terms this would be the milestone
chronological. During this period, there was a transition in manufacturing processes, moving from purely
artisanal for manufacturing by machines, new chemical processes also emerged and
also new processes for iron production.
In Brazil, the process of industrialization can be divided into four periods, being
the first period between the years 1500 and 1808, known as the Period of Prohibition, period
characterized by the restriction on the development of industrial activities in Brazil, being
only a small industry for internal consumption is allowed, mainly for spinning and
footwear, due to the distances between the metropolis and the colony.
The second period that varied between the years 1808 and 1930, called the Period of
The implementation was primarily characterized by the opening of the ports by Dom Pedro I,
to foreign trade, going through the so-called first industrial outbreak when the amount of
establishments increased from 200 in 1881 to 600 in 1889, reaching its peak during the period
post-World War I, where we observe that periods of crisis were favorable to
industrial growth of Brazil.
The third period, called the Brazilian Industrial Revolution, began in the year of
1930 and lasted until the year 1956, followed by the fourth period, called the period of
the internationalization of the Brazilian economy, periods end up merging in terms
temporal.
In October 1953, Petrobrás was inaugurated, which would be responsible for the execution
state monopoly on oil for research, exploration, refining of the national product and
foreign, maritime transport and pipeline system.
Almost simultaneously, also in 1953, COSIPA was founded, Company
São Paulo Steel Mill, and after more than ten years in the preparation and design phase, the Plant was
inaugurated on December 18, 1963. From this historical milestone, began the
scope process of the use of steel products, finally awakening the country there
global terms of industrialization, starting from the sixties.

1.2. The relevance of the welding process in the industry.

From the historical evolution of the industry in Brazil, the need arises to know
the phenomena that occur in this, especially the welding phenomena, thus creating
Technical Welding Commission, bringing together those interested in production, use and control of
welding materials and processes. With the consolidation of technical schools, establishments
of metallurgical, naval, mechanical, and production engineering education, specialists emerge from
average welders capable of welding and also understanding what happens under that flame or arc,
founding the Brazilian Welding Association, given the relevance of the process.
From the joining of small joints to the joining of sheets in structures of various kinds.
sizes, in their various modalities, the welding process is present. The processes
vary according to demand, it can be manual or automated, by fusion or by pressure,
to depend on other skills of welding professionals, such as mountaineering, for example,
finally, each case will create a special demand. The welding processes permeate the
industry as a whole, and given its relevance, is studied with varying degrees of depth
different in the various industrial engineering fields, especially in the area of metalmechanics.
According to Modenesi and Marques (2006), among the various welding processes
metallurgical, exemplified, the TIG welding process or Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
(GTAW), Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) or MIG-MAG, being Metal Inert Gas (MIG),
when gas is inert and Active Metal Gas (MAG), when the gas is active (CO2 or mixtures
Ar/O2/CO2), and the process of coated electrode welding, Manual Metal Arc (MMA) or
Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), which is the subject of this study.

2. The welding process.

2.1. Definition
According to the definition by Modenesi, Marques, and Bracarense (2009), welding is considered a
union process. In the case of two pieces of metal, this union occurs through the application
of high energy and no other fusion method forms such a powerful bond, as
welding creates a bond between the joints that is almost always stronger than the metals used for it
your training.
According to Dutra (2015), welding refers to the process of joining two pieces.
metallic, using a heat source with or without pressure, with welding being the result of this.
process.
Welding processes are used in various constructions involving
metal structures, airplanes, spacecraft, locomotives, bridges, buildings, oil pipelines,
pipelines, offshore platforms, and various others in the industrial production line.
In his work, Santos (2015), depicts that each welding process must meet
the following requirements:
Generate an amount of energy capable of joining two materials or not.
Remove the contaminants from the surfaces to be joined.
Prevent the atmospheric air from contaminating the area during welding.
Foster the control of phase transformation, so that the welding achieves the
desired properties, whether they are physical, chemical, or mechanical.
2.2. Shielded Metal Arc Welding (MMA/SMAW) process
2.2.1. The process

The welding with coated electrodes is called MMA (Manual Metal Arc) or
SMAW (Shielded Metal Arc Welding). This is the oldest and most versatile among the various
arc welding processes (Figure 1).
It is performed with the heat of an electric arc maintained between two metal parts, the
the tip of a coated metallic electrode and the workpiece/base metal. The heat
produced by the electric arc is sufficient to melt the base metal, the core of the electrode and the
coating. When the droplets of molten metal are transferred through the arc to the puddle of
fusion, are protected from the atmosphere by the gases produced during the decomposition of
coating. The liquid slag floats to the surface of the melting pool, where it protects the
welding metal from the atmosphere during solidification.

Fig. 1. Illustration of the welding process.

Fonte: [Link]

2.2.2. Classification

Welding processes can be classified: by the type of source or by nature

from the union.

[Link]. Types of font

Generator: provides direct current, welds any type of electrode, both

basic, cellulose or rutile. They are machines that have good current stability
besides working with an alternative source, thus allowing for the expansion of
workability in any less appropriate location, in terms of displacement.
Rectifiers: they have the same characteristics as the generating sources, however
do not rely exclusively on electrical energy for their feeding.
Transformer: can be found for use with direct current
how much with alternating current. They are low-cost machines, easy to move,
however, they are limited in their functions as they do not possess properties of
workability with basic coating consumables.

Nature of the union

Heat
 The term induced union by heat refers to the processes that use the electric arc or
flame.

[Link].2. Pressure

Pressure welding is understood as the process of spot welding or resistance welding.

and by friction.

2.2.3. Characteristics

The process of welding with a coated electrode is the most widely used. It has
the greatest flexibility among all welding processes since most metals
it can be joined or coated by welding.
There is a wide variety of coated electrodes, easily found in the
market, each electrode containing in its coating the ability to produce its own
protective gases eliminating the need for additional gas supply required in other processes
of welding.
Coated electrodes can be used in all positions (flat, vertical, horizontal,
about the head), as in practically all base metal thicknesses and in access areas
limited. It is also used for hard coatings, cutting, and engraving.
It is simpler in terms of equipment needs with investment costs.
relatively low.

2.2.4. Advantages

Low investment welding process;

There is no need for gas supply;
Application flexibility;
Wide variety of fuels;
Equipment can also be used for other processes.

2.2.5. Disadvantages

Low productivity;
Need for special care with the electrodes;
Volume of gases and fumes generated in the process.

2.2.6. Applications

Shielded metal arc welding is used in the manufacturing and assembly of different
equipment and structures, both in workshops and in the field, being particularly
interesting in this last case.
It can be used on a large number of materials, such as low carbon steels, low alloy steels,
medium league and high league, stainless steel, cast iron, aluminum, copper, nickel and alloys of these.
Different combinations of dissimilar metals can also be welded with electrodes.
covered. Low melting point metals such as lead, tin, and zinc and very metals
refractory or very reactive metals, such as titanium, zirconium, molybdenum, and niobium are not weldable.
for this process.
2.2.7. Classifications

There are different types of coated electrodes, varying according to the material.
being a soldier and its application. The most commonly used standard for classifying coated electrodes.
is the ASME II Part C (American Society of Mechanical Engineers - American Society of)
Mechanical Engineers), which follows the definitions of AWS (American Welding Society -
American Welding Society.
The classification is made according to the type of consumable, mechanical properties,
welding positions, type of coating and chemical composition of the deposited metal. A
Figure 2 presents the specifications of Coated Electrodes for Carbon Steel and Low Alloy Steel.
according to ASME II Part C AWS SFA 5.1 and 5.5.

Fig. 2. Specification of Coated Electrodes

Fonte: [Link]

Frame 1 - Classification of Consumables

E6010 Tensile strength of the deposited metal, minimum of 60ksi (~430MPa).
Welding in all positions with DC+. Coating type
cellulosic bound with sodium silicate.
E6013 Tensile strength of the deposited metal, minimum of 60ksi (~430MPa).
Welding in all positions in AC, DC+ or DC-. Coating
rutile type linked with potassium silicate.
E7018 Tensile strength of the deposited metal, minimum of 70ksi (~490MPa).
Welding in all positions in AC, DC+. Coating type
basic low hydrogen and iron powder bound with potassium silicate.
E8018-B2 Tensile strength of the deposited metal, minimum of 80ksi (~550MPa) after
heat treatment. Welding in all positions in AC, DC+.
Basic low hydrogen coating and iron powder bonded with silicate
of potassium depositing welding metal with contents of 1.25% Cr and 0.5 Mo
(resistant to creep).
Source: Authors
Quadro II–Chemical classification of the welding deposit
A1 Linked to Molybdenum 0.5% for hot work.
BX Linked to Chromium and Molybdenum for hot work.
BXL Attached to Chromium and Molybdenum with low Carbon content for work at
hot, with greater ductility and lower hardness.
CX Linked to Nickel for greater resistance while maintaining high toughness at low
temperatures.
NM Linked to Nickel and Molybdenum to avoid the need for treatment
post-welding thermal treatment (PWTT).
DX Linked to Manganese and Molybdenum, to combine mechanical resistance with
adequate corrosion resistance.
G It requires a minimum content of any of the following elements: 1.00%
Mn, 0.80% Si, 0.50% Ni, 0.30% Cr or 0.20% Mo, which can be developed
to meet specific requirements of an application.
M According to compositions covered by military specifications
PX Linked to Nickel, Chromium and Molybdenum for pipe welding
WX Linked to Nickel, Chromium, and Copper, for resistance to atmospheric corrosion.
Source: Authors

2.2.8. Typical joints and welding positions

For each specific weld bead, specific joints are generated, as shown
the illustrations of Figure 3.

Fig. 3. Joints and positions.

Fonte: [Link]

3. Electric current in the welding process by Electrode

Coated (MMA/SMAW)
3.1. Definition
 The electric arc can be defined as the electric discharge maintained through a gas.
ionized, initiated by a quantity of electrons emitted from the negative electrode (cathode),
heated and maintained by the thermal ionization of the heated gas. In the electric arc the discharge
electricity has low voltage and high current. In this definition, there are three important concepts.
for the knowledge of the electric arc: heat; ionization and emission.

3.1.1. Heat

The heat is due to the movement of electric charge in the electric arc of an electrode
permanent; the occurrence of shocks between these charges generates heat.

3.1.2. Ionization

In the arc, positive ions can be considered stationary when compared to the
the speed of electrons, which are therefore responsible for generating heat. To
to have an idea of the participation of electrons, it is enough to know that, in the collision of an electron with a
Helium atom, only 0.06% of the energy accumulated by the electron is transferred to the atom.
heating it by 0.001º C by collision.
In the case of the electric arc of consumable electrodes, besides the collision between ions, there is
also the shock between ions and atoms generated in the fusion of the electrode and between ions and the droplets that
they cross the arc.
The selection of welding parameters, their operating conditions, and their results
they strongly depend on phenomena that occur in the arch itself and in its surroundings.

3.1.3. Issuance

They are caused by the increase in the flow of electrons leaving the metal, due to the increase
substantial of its temperature (Thermionic effect), making the exit extremely facilitated
two electrons.
An electric arc is formed when two electrical conductors are
approximate for making the electrical contact and then moved away increasing the resistance to the flow
of current causing the ends of the conductor where this flow of current occurs
they are raised to high temperatures this also happens with the small air space between
they, the electrons coming from the negative electrode collide with the molecules and the air space,
dismembering into ions and free electrons and turning the air gap into a current conductor
due to ionization. This maintains the current through the air space and sustains the arc; in practice
to ignite and maintain the electric arc, the welder touches or grazes the piece with the tip of the
electrode then move it slightly away respecting a maximum distance for this to happen
intense discharge of electrons occurs in this interval between the conductors, at the moment of contact
the current flows in the circuit and continues to circulate when the electrode is moved away, forming a
arch, due to ionization occurring, that is, the air becomes a conductor of current. The voltage
it allows the current to continue even after the electrode is removed from the part, making it
that the electric arc is maintained, this causes the arc to produce high temperature, melting the
electrode and piece material, forming the weld.

3.2. Types of current

3.2.1. Direct current

 When the current flows in the same direction and sense, it is called direct current.
the source supplying this current maintains its polarity constant; that is:
The negative terminal will always be negative;
The positive terminal will always be positive.

3.2.2. Alternating current

When the current passing through a body reverses direction at intervals

time regulars, walking first in one direction and then in the other we call current
alternating, each terminal will be negative one moment, positive the next.
With alternating current, the penetration and melting rate are average, but there is an advantage.
to use larger electrodes and higher currents.

3.2.3. Direction of the current

The electric current always flows from the negative pole to the positive pole. In the process
In welding, when the welding machine is operating, the electric current comes out through terminal A.
moves along the cable to the piece that is being welded, causes the fusion of the material of the piece
with the electrode material through the electric arc, it passes through the electrode and returns to terminal B,
through the cable, enters through the machine and exits again through terminal A, as shown in Figure 4. For this reason it is
It is common to say that when the electrode holder cable is connected to the negative pole of the machine
we have a negative or direct polarity, and when the electrode holder cable is connected to the pole
the positive side of the machine has a positive or indirect polarity. During welding, it is noticed
I know that the behavior of the bow poles is not the same; that is why it's important to specify the
pole used in a welding process.

Figure 4: direction of current

Fonte: [Link]

3.2.4. Penetration and polarity

The polarity influences the shape and size of the melting puddle, as well as affecting the type of
transfer and the stability of the electric arc. Reverse polarity produces greater penetration,
while the direct polarity allows for less penetration with a higher melting rate.
As we know, the poles of the electric arc do not behave in the same way. The bombardment of
that the electrons subject the anode is more efficient than the bombardment of ions on the cathode in
the function of the kinetic energy of each electron being much greater than that of each ion, as well as the fact
The exit of electrons from the cathode consumes energy. This always means that the temperature of the
the anode is larger than the cathode.
Polarity relates to the direction of current flow in the welding process.
With direct current (DC), the welding circuit can have direct or reverse polarity.
When the source is set to direct polarity, the current flows from the electrode to the
welding surface creating considerable heat in the metal. When the source is in polarity
in reverse, the current flows backward, flowing from the metal to the electrode and causing an increase in
heat concentration at the electrode. In a welding with opposite electrodes, there are three types of
interfaces between the materials: two electrode-workpiece interfaces and one workpiece-workpiece interface. As the
Conductive electrodes are usually placed against resistive materials and vice versa, aren't they?
it is common to have unequal joints in welding. To take advantage of the polarity, the negative electrode
must be placed on the resistive, and the positive electrode against the more conductive parts. This
will increase the heat of the interfaces in both materials and reduce the heat of the electrode interfaces
piece. Inverting the polarities will cause the material interface to become cooler and may cause
the adhesion of the electrode.

[Link]. Penetration with direct current with positive polarity

Due to the behavior of the arc's poles being different, it has been conventionally referred to as
of direct polarity, where the electrode is the cathode (negative pole) and the piece is the anode,
represented by CC -, used in the process the electrode holder is connected to the negative of the source of
energy and the part is connected to the positive of the source. When the arc is established, the electrons go
from the electrode to the part. In this case, about 70% of the heat will be concentrated on the positive side.
of the arc, that is, in the piece, which offers greater penetration. The electrode receives a smaller portion.
of energy and works at a lower temperature, moreover, the flow of electrons that leaves
the electrode enhances the cooling effect of the electrode, and at the same time as the electrons
they are going towards the piece, the ions are attracted by the electrode.

[Link]. Penetration with direct current with reverse polarity

When the electrode is the anode (positive pole) and the piece is the cathode, the polarity is said to be
inverse CC+, used when the electrode port is connected to the positive terminal of the power source and the
negative pole (Figure 5). In this case, the flow of electrons is still from negative to positive,
However, the electrode is now the positive pole of the arc and the workpiece is the negative. In this case, electrons exit.
the part with the same cooling effect, impacting the electrode and resulting in an effect of
heating, where the electrode receives the greatest amount of heat, therefore it heats up more and the
the part receives the least amount of heat and thus has a smaller penetration, but
superficial. Another disadvantage of using CC+ is the greater susceptibility to the effects of forces
magnetic, causing the arc to sometimes move from side to side.

Figura 5: conexões e efeitos da CC–polaridade inversa

Source:[Link] (adapted)
3.2.5. Thermodynamic effect

Welding by fusion is carried out by the localized application of energy to a part of the
joint (region of the part(s) where the welding will be done) in order to achieve its localized fusion,
preferably affecting thermally the remaining part(s) to a minimum.
The source transfers energy to the joint through a contact area in order to heat the
adjacent material until its fusion. On the other hand, due to the high thermal conductivity of the
metals and the great temperature difference between the regions close to and distant from the area of
contact, the energy supplied to the material tends to diffuse quickly to the rest of the(s)
pieces, which makes it difficult to keep the fusion localized at the contact area and thermally affects the
neighboring regions.
To be effective in fusion welding, the source must supply energy at a high rate.
and in a small area to ensure the localized fusion of the base metal in the region adjacent to the area
of contact before the heat spreads to the rest of the part, as shown in Figure 6.

Fig. 6. General heat flow in fusion welding

Source: [Link]

An increase in the intensity of the source reduces the time needed to create the puddle.
of fusion and increases its penetration into the base metal. In this way, higher intensity sources
tend to result in higher productivity welding processes. Among the characteristics of
In this context, the thickness and thermal conductivity of the base material stand out.
the formation of the melt pool in a copper joint (a metal with high thermal conductivity) tends
it is much more difficult than in steel although it melts at higher temperatures than copper.
In general, materials are classified into three categories: conductor (such as
aluminum, copper, silver, and gold, etc.), of resistance (such as steel, nickel, Inconel, titanium, etc.)
and refraction (tungsten, molybdenum, etc.). Conductive materials require a large
amount of current to heat up during welding, and the heat generated is quickly
driven out, making it difficult to form a connection. Resistive materials, on the other
side, heat up quickly and, therefore, require less current input to form a
link. Refractory materials have high melting points, are susceptible to cracking, and are
generally more difficult than conductive or resistive materials. For these reasons, materials
Refraction welding can be very challenging.
These categories of material apply not only to the materials to be joined, but
also for the electrodes used to join them. Thus, the 'rule of opposites' applies
to the electrodes corresponding to the pieces to be welded. The general rule is the use of
conductive electrodes against resistive counterparts and refractory electrodes against counterparts
conductors. By extension, when welding different materials, the upper and lower electrodes (or
anode and cathode) must be made of different materials from each other, in order to apply the 'rule of
opposites
4. Experimental procedures
4.1. Preparation of test specimens

The test specimens used were made from SAE 1020 steel bars.
metal base, measuring 100 mm X 52mm X 9.25 mm and the filler metal AWS E 6013. They were
weld beads were made on the test specimens, starting and ending the bead 10 mm from
its bases and at the center of the bar to avoid uneven thermal dissipation along the cord.
making there be a difference in penetration due to the concentration of heat
at some point.
The part removed from the CP for penetration analysis was in the center with a width of 8.
of the string, as shown in Figure 7.

Fig. 7. Representation of the test specimen and the part removed for preparation for measurements.
Source: authors

The following welding parameters were selected: Current Intensity

Electrical, Welding Speed and Type of current with the values shown in the table
below.

Table 1 - Welding parameters with respective test specimens.

Current (A) 60 A 80 A 100 A
Speed
13 14 13 14 13 14
(mm/s)
1 7 13
2 8 14 15 mm/s
CC+
3 9 15
4 10 16
5 11 17 20 mm/s
6 12 18
Current (A) 60 A 80 A 100 A
Speed
13 14 13 14 13 14
(mm/s)
19 25 31
20 26 32 15 mm/s
CC-
21 27 33
22 28 34
23 29 35 20 mm/s
24 30 36
Source: authors
 Three (3) weld beads were made for each set of parameters with
the aim is to give reliability to the experiment. Among the selected parameters, the speed
welding was what presented the greatest degree of difficulty for execution due to the fact that
speed necessarily moves forward in a constant manner, otherwise, there would be, in a
same test body variation of penetration by the concentration of welding energy.
The equipment used for performing the weld beads has an accessory called
"tartílope" that guarantees us a constant speed, the initial and final position of the cord.
on the left, as shown in figures 8 and 9. Also to improve the stability of the electric arc
controlled by its height and displacement, a piece that restricted was placed on the 'Tartílope'
to the horizontal movement of the electrode as shown in figures 10 and 11, a washer with a
hole with a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the electrode. The sheet to be welded was fixed
on a device with four screws to prevent it from shifting position
previously defined. This would solve the problem of the speed at which the electrode
would advance, but it was the welder's responsibility to maintain the height of the electric arc accordingly.
with figure 12.

Figure 8. Clamping device for the plate to be welded (detail).

Source: Mateus Almeida

Figure 9. Device for regulating the welding speed and the starting and ending position of the bead.
Source: Mateus Almeida
 Fig. 10. Piece used for electrode displacement.
Source: Mateus Almeida

Fig. 11. Clamp device for the plate to be welded.

Source: Mateus Almeida

Figure 12. Practical demonstration of how the welder tried to maintain a constant electrode position.
Source: Mateus Almeida

In figure 12, there is a demonstration of how the welding of the bodies was carried out.
practical test where the welder tried to keep the electrode, for the most part, in a
constant height.
4.2. Measurement of temperature at the tip of the electrode and in the melting pot
during welding
Polarity influences the shape and size of the melting pool, as well as affecting the type of
transfer and the stability of the electric arc. Reverse polarity (+) produces greater
penetration, while the direct polarity (-) allows for lesser penetration, with melting rate
greater. With alternating current (±), the penetration and the melting rate are average, but there is the
advantage of being able to use larger electrodes and higher currents. The influence of the type
The current and polarity during penetration can be visualized in a figure, in which it is
penetration.
In the case of the coated electrode, about 30% of the total heat generated is produced in the electrode.
the 70% in the piece, with the highest penetration occurring among the three polarities. The puddle formed is
narrow and deep, which can be undesirable in very thin pieces. Unlike the others
polarities, this does not trigger the cleaning action of surface oxides in the molten pool.
Also, if the electrode is pure tungsten, there is oscillation of cathodic points on the
surface of it, causing instability of the arc. For the polarity of the current type
continuous positive electrode (CCEP), around 70% of the total heat is generated at the electrode and 30%
in the piece, resulting in the lowest penetration among all cases, with the shallow wide melting pool.
Although it produces an arc with lower temperature, the CCEP may be of interest in those
situations where little penetration is desired and efficient removal of surface oxides is needed
they form over the melting pool, as there are oscillations of cathodic points over it.
(Machado, 1996).
Figures 13 and 14 were generated by a camera that measures temperature.
To check the temperatures at the tip of the electrode and on the workpiece during welding with
direct and inverse polarity several photographs were taken.

Fig. 13. Welding with Direct Current with Reverse Polarity (DC)+being that the temperature at the tip of
the electrode was 461.3oIt's in the melting pot 438.3oC.
Source: Mateus Almeida

Fig. 14. Welding with Direct Current with Direct Polarity (DC-being that the temperature at the tip of
the electrode was 640.9oC is in the part 968.6oC.
Source: Mateus Almeida
4.2.5. Preparation of test specimens for penetration measurement

After welding, the part that would be prepared for measurement was removed from the test specimen.
from the penetration taking care to collect a central part of the cord by removing the section
transversal, with the intention of achieving penetration into a position where the heat input does not
it was neither at the beginning nor at the end. The sample taken measured 8 mm in length by a
width of 15 mm.
Next, the test samples were sanded with water sandpaper in the following
grain sizes: 120; 320; 600; 800; 1000, polished with 6µ diamond paste and then
attacked with a solution of 2% nitric acid and 98% alcohol.
After the attack, photographs were taken and the images were inserted into Autocad 2013.
computer-aided design (CAD)

Step 1:
After the final polishing of the pieces, photos were taken with the proofs positioned at 90°.
in relationshipao plan horizontal for what no were distortion.
2nd step:
The photos were imported into the AutoCAD software application, version 2013, where they were
positioned between two horizontal and parallel straight lines with the distance equivalent to the height
real of the pieces, 9.25mm, so that the images could be worked on in true size.
Step 3:
Using the line command, a line segment was drawn connecting the ends of the
surface of the solder pool, whose irregular top has been disregarded.
4th step:
Using the spliline command, starting from the initial point of the drawn segment
previously, the solder pool was circled until it reached the other end of the segment, passing
by the deepest point of the puddle.
5th step:
Using the linear dimension command, with osnap activated, it was located at
drawing of each solder pool made on the image, the deepest point is measured
from the measure in relation to the surface of the puddle, with a precision of three decimal places after the
comma, and all measurements in millimeters.
6th step:
Finally, with the measured dimensions, the CAD drawings produced from the photos
original pieces were exported in the form of images, aiming to be inserted into
present scientific work, securely and protected from alterations, as shown in the images
finals of the test specimens generated in Figures 15.1 to 15.36.

Figures 15.1 to 15.3.

Source: authors
Figures 15.4 to 15.21.
Source: authors
 Figures 15.22 to 15.36.
Source: authors

Table 2. Depth of weld penetration in the test specimens

No. No. No.
body Depth of body Depth of body Depth of
of penetration of penetration of penetration
test test test
01 1.71 13 3,099 25 0.611
02 1,338 14 3,563 26 2.09
03 1,221 15 3,688 27 0.546
Source: authors (continued)
 Table 2. Depth of penetration of the weld bead in the test specimens
No No No
body Depth of the body Depth of the body Depth of the
of penetration of penetration of penetration
test test test
04 1.86 16 5,677 28 1,726
05 2,468 17 3,095 29 1,157
06 3,044 18 2,147 30 0.984
07 3,045 19 2,062 31 2,099
08 1,665 20 0.668 32 1,127
09 3,983 21 0.727 33 2,438
10 3,262 22 0.532 34 1,166
11 3,641 23 0.714 35 1,662
12 3,541 24 1,327 36 4,155
Source: authors (completion)

4.2.6. Analysis of results

According to table 01, the graphs were created with the combinations between Type
of electric current, current intensity, and welding speed. Each Graph
buy the parameters of electric current intensity and welding speed with the two
types of current.
For example, the first graph combines CC+, with the three current intensities (60
A, 80 A and 100 A) with a welding speed value. And for each combination, it was done
a chart where there are two bars, one blue that represents direct current with
reverse polarity is a blue bar that represents penetration with direct current with
direct polarity.
The type of current was taken as constant for each type and repeated for three values.
of current and two values of welding speed. Three weld beads were executed
with each set of variables to ensure the reading of the results.
The following graphs represent the penetration in relation to the indicated parameters in
table 4, represented by the number of each test body.

Fig. 16. Graphical demonstration of penetration with Direct Current with reverse polarity (blue bar) and Current
continues with direct polarity (red bar).
Source: Silva and Almeida
Fig. 17. Graphical demonstration of penetration with Direct Current with reverse polarity (blue bar) and Current
continues with direct polarity (red bar).
Source: Silva and Almeida

Fig. 18. Graphical demonstration of penetration with Direct current with reverse polarity (blue bar) and Current
continues with direct polarity (red bar).
Source: Silva and Almeida

Fig. 19. Graphical demonstration of penetration with direct current with reverse polarity (blue bar) and current
continues with direct polarity (red bar).
Source: Silva and Almeida

Fig. 20. Graphical demonstration of penetration with direct current with reverse polarity (blue bar) and current
continues with direct polarity (red bar).
Source: Silva and Almeida
Fig. 21. Graphical demonstration of penetration with Direct Current with reverse polarity (blue bar) and Current
continues with direct polarity (red bar).
Source: Silva and Almeida

5. Conclusion
After analyzing the presented graphs, it is concluded that the penetration of the weld beads
executed with Continuous Current with Reverse Polarity is greater than the penetration of
weld beads executed with Direct Current with Direct Polarity.
Figures 11 and 12 practically show that the concentration of heat is greater
on the plate when Direct Current with Positive Polarity is used and lower on the electrode and
the opposite occurs in reverse polarity, which would indicate greater penetration in Polarity
Direct.
The experience carried out in this work proved the opposite, with an explanation.
that confirms the results obtained. In fact, in the welding process with electrode
coated has metal transfer in droplets during welding. Considering that in
reverse polarity 70% the heat from the thermal input is concentrated in the electrode the metal droplets
Transferred to the sheet are much hotter, which adds the heat of the droplets to the heat of the input.
thermal of the sheet allowing for greater penetration.

Effect of polarity on penetration in welding

steel with coated electrode
Abstract

This study aims to prove, in the light of the trial, the advantages and disadvantages of the effect
of polarity penetration in steel welding with coated electrode. Experimental tests were made
where the truth of literature on the subject was found, which concludes that
the welds penetration, performed with Direct Current with Reverse Polarity is greater than the
penetration of welds performed with Direct Current to Direct Polarity.

Key words: Penetration. Polarity. Electric arc.

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