Author(s) :

Adedayo, S. M, Irehovbude, S. O.

Volume/Issue :

Abstract :

Thermal history along the length of a circular section subjected to flash-butt welding was analyzed by the Finite Difference Method. A numerical computational model based on the finite difference approach is formulated taking into consideration fusion zone (FZ) superheat, ambient and initial temperature of rod. Flexibility of physical characteristics such as bar length, diameter, material properties and variation of boundary conditions was applied. Simulated preheat temperatures of 200 0C and 400 0C increased the peak temperatures of 20 mm diameter solid rods by 41.1 % and 89.3 % respectively at a point 20 mm from the weld line. An increase of molten metal temperature from 1600 0C to 1800 0C increased peak temperatures at point 10 mm from the weld line by 11.85 %. Increasing the diameter of the solid rod from 20 mm to 40 mm resulted into 3.33 % increase in peak temperature 10 mm from weld line. A temperature disparity of 17.88% exists at peak temperatures of computed and practically obtained thermal histories.

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