AWS Submerged Arc Welding (SAW) 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In Submerged Arc Welding (SAW), the arc is shielded by which of the following?
- A blanket of granular flux (Correct answer)
- A shielding gas mixture
- A ceramic backing strip
- A refractory slag coating applied before welding
Correct answer: A blanket of granular flux
SAW uses a continuously fed granular flux that completely submerges and shields the arc from the atmosphere, giving the process its name.
Question 2: Which AWS specification covers electrodes and fluxes for Submerged Arc Welding of carbon and low-alloy steel?
- AWS A5.23
- AWS A5.17 (Correct answer)
- AWS A5.18
- AWS A5.29
Correct answer: AWS A5.17
AWS A5.17 covers carbon steel electrodes and fluxes for Submerged Arc Welding, while A5.23 covers low-alloy steel SAW electrodes and fluxes.
Question 3: What is the primary advantage of Submerged Arc Welding compared to Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)?
- Lower equipment cost
- Higher deposition rates and travel speeds (Correct answer)
- Ability to weld in all positions
- Minimal distortion in thin sheet metal
Correct answer: Higher deposition rates and travel speeds
SAW achieves significantly higher deposition rates and travel speeds than SMAW because it uses a continuously fed wire electrode and operates at higher current levels.
Question 4: In SAW, unused granular flux that is not fused during welding is typically:
- Discarded as hazardous waste
- Recovered and reused after screening (Correct answer)
- Mixed with the slag for recycling
- Burned off in a post-weld heat treatment
Correct answer: Recovered and reused after screening
Unfused flux is recovered by vacuum recovery systems, screened to remove fines and slag contaminants, and reused, making SAW a cost-effective process.
Question 5: Which welding position is SAW most commonly performed in?
- Overhead (4G)
- Vertical (3G)
- Flat (1G) and horizontal fillet (2F) (Correct answer)
- All positions equally
Correct answer: Flat (1G) and horizontal fillet (2F)
SAW is primarily limited to the flat and horizontal fillet positions because the granular flux cannot be retained on vertical or overhead surfaces without special fixtures.
Question 6: In SAW electrode classification such as EL12, what does 'L' indicate?
- Low hydrogen content
- Low manganese content
- Low carbon content (Correct answer)
- Low silicon content
Correct answer: Low carbon content
In the EL12 classification, 'L' designates low carbon content (approximately 0.12% max carbon), distinguishing it from medium (EM) and high (EH) carbon variants.
Question 7: Which variable has the greatest influence on bead width in Submerged Arc Welding?
- Welding voltage (Correct answer)
- Wire feed speed
- Travel speed
- Flux depth
Correct answer: Welding voltage
Welding voltage primarily controls arc length and bead width; higher voltage produces a wider, flatter bead, while lower voltage produces a narrower, more convex bead.
AWS Submerged Arc Welding (SAW) 1
In Submerged Arc Welding (SAW), the arc is shielded by which of the following?