Flux for submerged-arc welding

Sandvik 15W SE-811 81 Sandviken,

Sweden
October 2004

the impact toughness will increase as well as, to

General description a limited extent, the ductility of the weld metal.
Sandvik 15W is a basic, agglomerated flux for The relation between basicity and impact
use with all austenitic stainless wire electrodes, toughness is particularly important for high
especially when high impact strength is aimed. alloyed grades, such as duplex steels.
It is particularly suited for Sandvik’s range of
duplex wire electrodes, in particular Sandvik Typical chemical composition, %
22.8.3.L and 25.10.4.L due to the excellent SiO2 CaF2 Al2O3
impact properties obtainable in the weld metal. 7 50 40
The relatively high basicity also makes the flux
suitable for use in fully austenitic welds where Classification
good hot cracking resistance is necessary. Due EN 760 S A AF 2
to its low Nb burn-off it can be used
advantageously with stabilised wire electrodes, Packing and handling
such as AWS 347 and 318. Sandvik’s welding fluxes are packed in air tight
metal drums, 25 kg, with re-sealable lid. The
Flux data drums should be stored indoors in dry
Bulk weight ……………………………1.0 kg/l environment. Properly stored flux in unopened
Basicity (Boniszewski) …………………….1.7 drums can be used up to 5 years after packing.
Current capacity using wire electrode, Flux in opened drums should be redried at
diameter 2.4 mm ……………....………...700 A 350°C for 4 hours before use.
Flux consumption ………...0.9 kg/kg electrode
Redrying, when necessary ………..350 oC, 4 h Alloying vector – Welding Wire
The alloying vector describes the difference in
Basicity chemical composition between the filler metal
Basicity is commonly used to describe the and the undiluted all-weld metal due to the
metallurgical behaviour of a welding flux. The influence of the flux. The following table
basicity index is a ratio between basic and acid presents data for Sandvik 15W in combination
compounds (oxides and fluorides) of which the with Sandvik wire electrodes.
flux is composed. There are several ways of
Ele- Alloying vector
calculating basicity and in welding ment Sandvik wire
Boniszewski’s formula has become the 19.12.3.L 20.25.5.LCu 22.8.3.L 25.10.4.L Sanicro 60
predominant way of calculating basicity. C 0 0 0 +0.004 0
Si +0.1 +0,2 +0.1 +0.1 +0.3
Welding fluxes can be divided into three Mn -0.3 -0,4 -0.3 -0.1 0
groups: Cr -0.5 -0,4 -0.5 -1.0 -0.4
Ni 0 0 0 0 +0,5
Mo 0 0 0 0 0
Acid fluxes, basicity <0.9 Nb - - - - -0.2
N 0 0 -0.01 -0.06 0
Neutral fluxes, basicity 0.9-1.2
Basic fluxes, basicity >1.2

Basicity has great influence on impact

toughness of the weld metal. Increasing basicity
brings down the oxygen content and hence the
inclusion level in the weld metal. Consequently,
Mechanical properties of weld metal Wire Current (A) Voltage (V) Travel
diameter speed
Sandvik flux 15W gives the following (mm) (mm/min)
mechanical properties for the filler wires below. 1.6 250-450 28-32 200-400
2.4 300-500 29-34 250-500
Sandvik Rp0.2 Rm A5 KV (J)
wire (MPa) (MPa) (%) 20°C -40°C -196°C 3.2 400-600 30-35 250-600
19.12.3.L 390 530 41 100 85 40 4.0 500-700 30-35 250-600
20.25.5.LCu 345 550 40 125 - 100
22.8.3.L 620 790 29 115 95 80
25.10.4.L 650 840 28 85 70 60
Approvals
Sanicro 60 465 725 45 168 - 138 Please contact Sandvik for full details.

Welding parameters
Direct current, with electrode positive is
normally used for joint welding to give good
penetration.