An Investigation of the Effect of Welding Current on the Mechanical Properties of Mild Steel Joints When Using Arc Welding

Welding is a fabrication process in which two or more parts are fused together by means of heat, pressure, or both, forming a join as the parts cool. This paper aims to investigate the effects of current on the mechanical properties and microstructure of mild steel joints when using arc welding. The arc welding experiment was carried out using different currents (100 A, 150 A and 200 A). The hardness and impact tests were conducted according to ASTM E384 and ASTM E23-12C standards. The results show that a high welding current generates a high surface temperature during the arc welding process. The increase in surface temperature negatively affects the mechanical properties of the welding zone. The highest hardness and toughness were obtained at a low welding current and reported to be 269 HV and 205.71 J, respectively.