Investigation of distinct welding parameters on mechanical and corrosion properties of dissimilar welded joints between stainless steel and low carbon steel.

The tensile strength and corrosion behavior of dissimilar welded joints are currently a subject of concern. In this work, gas metal arc welding (GMAW) and distinct welding parameters (welding current, arc voltage, and welding speed) were used to join 304 stainless steel (SUS304) and SS400 low carbon steel, and the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of the dissimilar welded joints was investigated. A corrosion test was conducted by immersion in 3.5 wt.% sodium chloride (NaCl) solution for 7, 14, and 21 days. Based on tensile strength and Tafel testing, the welding parameters "Item 4" (welding current: 170 A, arc voltage: 20 V, welding speed: 40 cm/min) yielded good mechanical strength and low corrosion characteristics. The microstructure characterization showed that the area around the welded joints and SUS304 had more granular corrosion and corrosion tubercles with increasing immersion time. The chromium content gradually decreased. When exposed to the chloride environment, these welded joints easily underwent corrosion due to the loss of passivity. However, high-velocity oxygen-fuel (HVOF) spray used on the welded joints reduced the corrosion current density. Compared with the non-thermal spray sample (corrosion current density:7.49e - 05 A/cm) while the corrosion current density (7.89e - 10 A/cm) is five orders of magnitude lower. This spray effectively slowed down the corrosion rate of the welded joints and gave the structural objects good protection in the sodium chloride solution.