Daniel Stemne, research engineer within welding technology at SSAB Oxelösund, says there are also better results. He says that with the process, static strength in the welded joint can be very high, despite the fact that filler metal with relatively low strength can be used. “For example, welding technique trials have been carried out with butt welds that contain the high-strength structural steel Weldox 1100,” Stemne says. “The yield strength for this steel is at least 1100 MPa. In this case, the static strength in the welded joint could be on a par with the demands for Weldox 1100. The toughness can also be very good. It meets the requirements for the Weldox 1100 steel by a long way.”
“Because we can weld with lower heat input, in other words with lower energy per unit of time in comparison with conventional welding processes, the deformations are smaller, which also means lower deformations for the entire construction. This greatly widens the scope to reduce straightening on the construction after welding.”
The improvements come as a result of the cooperation between SSAB Oxelösund, which is responsible for the material technology competence and AGA, part of the Linde Group, which is responsible for the development of the process technology.
A Zaragoza, Spain factory of loader crane manufacturer Hiab will be the first to evaluate the process in welding production, using Weldox 700 and Weldox 900 of plate thickness 7-8 mm. In this case, the type of welded joints will be butt welds in the structure of loader cranes.
