Title: An optimistic approach to blend recycled-slag with flux: a step towards green SAW

Authors: Sahib Sartaj Singh; Bikram Jit Singh

Addresses: University College of Engineering, Punjabi University Patiala, Punjab, India ' Mechanical Engineering Department, Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Sadopur, Ambala, India

Abstract: During submerged arc welding (SAW), slag is generated. It is thrown away as a waste and this causes severe disposal and environmental problems. Though several attempts have been made to reuse the slag along with flux but such attempts have fallen short of savings in reality. Focused literature survey has been conducted and this put forth the various reasons for less fruitful results. While, not ignoring the delicacies of SAW process, a systematic quantitative methodology for desired optimisation of slag-flux mixture was chalked out. A case study in a pipe fabricating Indian SME has successfully implemented the proposed approach and validates it for similar prospects. The efficacy of applied structured strategy has been proved unanimously, by reinstating the different mechanical and metallographic properties of SAW bead well within limits, as per the American Society of Welding (ASW) norms. An empirical analysis further motivates to materialise the proposed approach to inculcate associated benefits of green-SAW in future.

Keywords: submerged arc welding; green SAW; microstructure; processed slag; fresh flux; impact strength; elongation; tensile strength; analysis of variance; ANOVA; Cox response trace plot; response optimisation; recycled slag; recycling; case study; pipe fabrication; India; SMEs; small and medium-sized enterprises.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPMB.2016.077628

International Journal of Process Management and Benchmarking, 2016 Vol.6 No.3, pp.300 - 327

Received: 08 Feb 2015
Accepted: 23 Mar 2015
Published online: 07 Jul 2016 *

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