A Novel Technique for Underwater Welding of Structural Steel Using Rutile Electrodes

This research paper investigates the effects of nickel as an additive to rutile electrodes used for wet underwater welding using a unique technique with waterproofing using enamel paint. The study aims to compare the strength, hardness, and toughness of underwater welds with and without nickel addition while conducting a microstructural analysis. Weld samples are subjected to various mechanical tests, including hardness, tensile strength, and toughness tests to evaluate their performance. Results indicate that underwater welds with nickel addition exhibit optimised hardness and superior toughness compared to the welds without nickel. The microstructural analysis reveals finer grain size and desirable phase distribution in the welds with nickel addition. Atomic dispersive spectroscopy was done to determine the content of nickel in the parent metal and weld metal.