An Investigation of the groove shape preparation effects in the high frequency induction welding of the metal pipes

In this paper, the effect of high frequency induction welding parameters on the weld quality of welded pipes is studied. In this purpose, process parameters such as current, frequency and edge shape of the weld connection and their effects on the heat distribution are investigated. Experimental investigation is performed by using tensile test, metallography, and micro hardness. This reveals three regions with different grading and various thermo-mechanical treatments. The results show that the grain size decreases about 27 percents as the edge shape is improved. By conducting thermo-magnetic analysis, different current intensities and frequencies are evaluated in the creation of appropriate temperature distribution. The results show that with increasing the current and frequency, the heat-affected zone is expanded and other areas become smaller. The maximum increase of the average temperature in the weld edge, was about 42 percents from 1250 to 1500 amperes per unit increase of the frequency. Micro-hardness test is used to detect micro-structural phases of the weld zone.By comparing the results of the metallography and micro-hardness tests, more uniform weld width was observed with modified edge of the in welded samples. The results represent 18 percents of decrease in the weld width of the modified samples in comparison with samples without edge preparation.