Application of Automatic Gas Metal Arc Welding Technology in Thick-walled High-strength Steel SX780CF

QUAN Junhao; ZHANG Jiao; DENG Xiaochuan; ZOU Gang; REN Guoqing

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2026.05.013

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Journal of Netshape Forming Engineering ›› 2026, Vol. 18 ›› Issue (5) : 140-148. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2026.05.013

Advanced Joining Technology

Application of Automatic Gas Metal Arc Welding Technology in Thick-walled High-strength Steel SX780CF

QUAN Junhao, ZHANG Jiao, DENG Xiaochuan, ZOU Gang, REN Guoqing^*

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Abstract

The work aims to explore the feasibility and process methods of applying automatic GMAW (Gas Metal Arc Welding) technology to the 3G (vertical welding) and 4G (overhead welding) position welding of SX780CF thick-walled high-strength steel, thereby providing a basis for the application and process optimization of full-position automatic welding of high-strength steel in pumped-storage projects. A composite groove form suitable for SX780CF thick-walled high-strength steel was designed. Welding of 60 mm thick SX780CF high-strength steel were completed in the 3G and 4G positions using automatic welding equipment with a mixed gas (Ar+CO₂) and solid wire pulse process. An electronic universal testing machine, a pendulum impact testing machine, and a Vickers hardness tester were used to test the mechanical properties of the welded joints. The microstructure of the joints was analyzed with an optical microscope to investigate the influence of microstructural evolution on mechanical properties. The internal defects of the welded joints were detected with a TOFD (Time of Flight Diffraction) non-destructive testing instrument to evaluate joint quality. The results showed that the automatic welding joints of SX780CF in the 3G and 4G positions met the mechanical performance requirements of GB 50766—2012. The 4G joint had a significantly higher cooling rate than the 3G joint due to its smaller melt pool volume and thinner weld bead, resulting in an increased proportion of hard and brittle phases in its microstructure. Its hardness value is higher than that of the 3G joint, but its low-temperature impact absorption energy at -40 ℃ is lower than that of the 3G joint. The TOFD test results indicated that the internal quality of the welded joints in both positions met the Class I weld qualification standards, with no defects such as lack of fusion or cracks observed. Therefore, it can be concluded that applying automatic GMAW technology to the all-position welding of SX780CF thick-walled high-strength steel is feasible. Qualified welds can be obtained at each welding position by optimizing the arrangement of weld beads and process parameters.

Key words

automatic gas metal arc welding (GMAW) / SX780CF / pumped-storage / composite groove / microstructure / mechanical property

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QUAN Junhao, ZHANG Jiao, DENG Xiaochuan, ZOU Gang, REN Guoqing. Application of Automatic Gas Metal Arc Welding Technology in Thick-walled High-strength Steel SX780CF[J]. Journal of Netshape Forming Engineering. 2026, 18(5): 140-148 https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2026.05.013

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