STUDY ON THE APPLICABILITY OF NACIONAL MANUFACTURED ELECTRODES IN THE SUGAR INDUSTRY

Abstract

Introduction:
The recovery of parts by welding plays a fundamental role in the sugar industry. In the present work, a comparative study of two electrodes developed in our country is carried out in order to investigate their possible use in the repair processes developed in sugar mills.
Objective:
To carry out the comparison between the electrodes with Fe-Si-VC and Fe-Cr-Mn-C composition, conceived in Cuba, and the UTP 620 that is used, among other applications, for the recovery of sugar mill crown teeth.
Materials and methods:
For the comparison, test tubes were prepared with the deposition of the three electrodes under the same conditions, that is, the same base material and the same amperage, polarity and type of current. The specimens were prepared from the cross section of the cords, the metallographic analysis was carried out and the hardness in different parts of the cord was measured.
Results and Discussion:
Comparing the results, it was possible to appreciate that the three deposits have a different metallographic structure, as well as different hardnesses. The electrode with the Fe-Cr-Mn-C alloy system guarantees a hardness in the order of 326 HB. The electrode with the Fe-Si-V-C alloy system guarantees a bead hardness of 534 HB. The electrode currently used, the UTP 620, guarantees a hardness in the first pass of 610 HB.
Conclusions:
It is considered that the Fe-Si-V-C electrode has good prospects for its use in this application, since the hardness obtained is above the limit established for sugar mill crowns.