The Effect of Shielding Gas Consumption and Electric Current on the Tensile Strength of SGC440 in Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)

Structural galvanized steel SGC440, known for its high tensile strength, is commonly used in the manufacturing of vehicle bodies, especially for cars and buses. The Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) method is considered most suitable for connecting SGC440 plates. Despite its effectiveness, GMAW welding often faces challenges such as bending deformation and excessive burning, which can lead to damage in the welded areas. The use of shielding gas and the electric current need to be adjusted to achieve optimal joint quality. Therefore, an investigation into the parameters of shielding gas flow rate and the magnitude of the electric current is necessary to determine the quality of the joints. This study aims to determine the tensile strength of SGC 440 steel resulting from GMAW welding with variations in shielding gas consumption and the electric current used. Tensile strength testing of the samples was carried out following the JIS Z 2201 standard. The welding results indicate that variations in the shielding gas flow rate and the magnitude of the electric current affect the tensile strength. Additionally, microstructure observations show differences in the material's phase structure due to the influence of the electric current magnitude and shielding gas consumption.