WELDING RESEARCH

-S94 JUNE 2005-s94

ABSTRACT. In hyperbaric dry underwa-ter welding, the hyperbaric gas tungstenarc welding (GTAW) procedure offersmany advantages. However, determina-tion of the electrode service life is a sub-stantial condition for good results in un-manned and computer-remote-controlled hyperbaric GTAW. Electrodeservice life is the time in which one elec-trode can be welded from a polished stateto reaching a wear mark as an applied con-dition criterion under certain conditions.Extending electrode service life can dras-tically reduce the cost of the process; how-ever, many influencing factors, as well asunpredictable occurrences during hyper-baric GTAW, make exact determination ofthe electrode service life more difficult. Inthis study, electrode service life was exam-ined in the dependence on the electrodetype, arc current, and arc power under dif-ferent ambient pressure levels. For deter-mining service life of the electrodes in hy-perbaric GTAW, wear rate (percentageshortening of the electrode point due towear) was considered as an evaluation cri-terion, because the wear rate contains allof the above-mentioned parameters andreflects all the effects of them.

For the delimitation of the service lifetests, two kinds of tungsten electrodes[WL10 (with 1.0% LaO2) and WT 20 (with2.0% ThO2)] were selected, which are thetypes predominantly preferred in practice.The results of this work indicate that theelectrode service life heavily depends onthe type of electrode under high ambientpressure. The WL10 electrode exhibits alonger arc-on time and a greater electricalload capacity and, therefore, a longer ser-vice life than the WT20 electrode. Thecompiled formulas for the computation ofthe electrode service life have an empiri-cal form, which can be used for estimationas well as for comparison of the service lifeof electrodes in hyperbaric GTAW. Theprovided service life diagrams as a func-

tion of ambient pressure and arc power, inwhich the test results are represented, canbe of great relevance for use both in on-shore and offshore technology, especiallyin performing reproducible, high-qualitywelded underwater joints.

Introduction

The intensified use of computers inwelding makes it necessary to collaterallyimprove the pertinent peripheral devicesand to adapt to the new requirements. Forexample, in fully mechanized hyperbaricGTAW, exact determination of the elec-trode service life as a function of the pro-cedure and electrode parameters is veryimportant, because service life has crucialeffects on performing good, reproducibleweld joints and the cost of the procedure,especially for underwater welding in deepwater where remote control is necessary.

Barely any literature can be founddealing with the determination and calcu-lation of electrode service life in hyper-baric GTAW. Some investigations on elec-trode service life in spot welding areavailable, but, in practice, these are hardlyapplicable to hyperbaric GTAW (Refs.1–11). The aim of this study is to make acontribution regarding the questionsabout electrode service life in hyperbaricGTAW in both onshore and offshore con-ditions.

Problems in Determining Electrode Service Life

The electrode service life tEl is the timein which one electrode can be welded from

a polished state to reaching a wear markas an applied condition criterion undercertain conditions. Apart from the servicelife, different condition sizes such as weldbead (crawler) length, joint surface, andjoint volume can be consulted for evaluat-ing the serviceability of an electrode. Theelectrode service life depends essentiallyon the following parameters (Refs. 1–11): • Process variables (especially arc current,

arc voltage)• Inert gas type• Electrode parameters (type, dimen-

sions, tip included angle, diameter, andsurface of the electrode)

• Cooling of the electrode (water cooled)• Ignition parameters, ignition of the arc• Environmental medium.

The numerous variables of influenceand their mutual relations make an exactmathematical description of electrode ser-vice life more difficult. In addition, themissing guidelines for determining servicelife hinder the accurate definition of theproblem. An exact experimental servicelife determination of the electrodes is con-nected with a high expenditure of mater-ial and time (Refs. 6, 7, 10). Hence, themain objective of the present study is toexamine the service life of tungsten elec-trodes in the dependence on the electrodetypes, arc current, and arc power underdifferent ambient pressures.

In normal current load, the lifespan ofan electrode can persist several days.However, the degradation of arc stabilityresulting from electrode wear can be cor-rected by adjusting the parameters such asincreasing the arc current or decreasingthe welding speed and the arc length. Ifthe required joint quality cannot be en-sured with the electrode under high ambi-ent pressure due to the wear, it should bewelded under lower ambient pressure.Further, the selection of the wear mark fora condition criterion is pressure depen-dent and can be different according toproducible joint quality and welding type.

In determining the service life of elec-trodes, an accurate definition of theircharacteristics and features is necessary

KEY WORDS

Service LifeTungsten ElectrodeHyperbaric GTAWUnderwater Welding

Service Life of Tungsten Electrodes inHyperbaric Dry Underwater Welding

Service life diagrams were developed for two types of commonly used tungsten electrodes

BY H. OZDEN AND K. T. GURSEL

H. OZDEN and K. T. GURSEL are with the Me-chanical Engineering Department, Faculty of En-gineering, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey.

Ozden Supplement for 6/05 5/9/05 10:40 AM Page 94

WELDING RESEARCH

-S95 -s95WELDING JOURNAL

for the serviceability of the electrodes incertain weld joint quality. If strong short-ening and rounding of the electrode pointas well as wear debris at the electrodepoint occur, the electrode must be re-placed. However, shortening of the elec-trode point due to electrode wear cannotbe an exclusive criterion for determiningservice life. In addition, for preservationof permissible joint quality, the arising de-formations and pollutions are also of im-portance. In the examples shown in Figs.1 and 2, different wear features such asdeformations at the electrode point arerepresented. After arc ignition, a ballforms at the electrode point. The forma-tion of such a slight blunt end extends theservice life of the electrode and enablesstabilization of the arc-on time as shownin Fig. 2, Field III. The service life is alsoextended substantially with aftertreat-ment of the surfaces of the electrodepoints — Fig. 2, Field II. With increasedpollutants and wear debris at the elec-trode point, the instability of the arc in-creases; this effect becomes drastic withincreasing ambient pressure (Refs. 3–6,10, 11). The wear debris descends in thecourse of time into the melting bath, andthus, weld joint quality is reduced. Fur-thermore, the gradual wear of the elec-trode point accelerates — Fig. 2, Field IV.

Service Life Criteria

For determining service life of tung-sten electrodes in underwater welding, thefollowing evaluation criteria are used: • Wear rate VR in % (percentage short-

ening of the electrode point due towear),

• Rounding diameters of the electrodeend in mm,

• Increased instability of the welding arcin %,

• Increased arc voltage in %,• Uniform weld bead formation,• Modification of the shape of the core arc

(as seen in Fig. 3),• Electrode temperature in °C.

Electrode wear influences arc instabilityand the rise of the arc voltage more effec-tively when the ambient pressure in-creases (Refs. 1–11). The occurring volt-age fluctuations as well as the arcdiversions in frequency and height can beconsulted as criteria for the service life de-termination of the electrodes. These ser-vice life criteria can be an advantage infully automated hyperbaric GTAW, inwhich the electrode change can take placeautomatically after reaching these servicelife criteria with or without inquiries. Fig-ure 4 schematically represents the types ofwear. From this, the percentage wear ratecan be calculated as follows:

where VR1 is the wear rate of the electrodein % under consideration of electrodepoint length, VR2 is the wear rate in %under consideration of the electrode pointdiameter, VT is shortening of the elec-trode point in mm, VD is the wear diame-ter (i.e., final state of the electrode pointdiameter in mm), SL is the electrode pointlength in mm before welding, dEl is theelectrode diameter in mm, and b is the tipincluded angle in degrees — Fig. 4.

The temperature in the electrode point

depends on the type, the dimensions, andthe cooling of the electrode when weldingparameters are held constant. With longerarc-on time or higher current rate, the sus-tainable heat capacity can be exceededdue to the Joule’s resistance heating ac-cording to Equation 3.

where Q is arc energy in J = W.s, U is arcvoltage in V, I is arc current in A, R is elec-trical resistance of the electrode in ohms,and t is the duration of the current flow inseconds.

Apart from the current heating theelectrode, thermal conduction from thearc to the electrode and the radiant heatof the arc contribute to its heating. Ac-

Q UIt I RtU t

R= = =2

2(3)

VRVD

d

VD

SLEl2 100 100

2 2(2)= = cot

b

VRVT

SL1 100 (1)=

Fig. 1 — Electrode wear; 1 — before welding, 2–12 — after welding.

Fig. 2 — Electrode ends and point surfaces. I — Unpolished; II — polished; III — ball; IV — erosionat the electrode point.

Fig. 3 — Close-up view of the arc and the electrode during welding. A — Shortly after arc ignition; B —during buildup welding; C — passes with filler metal; D — electrode point burned strongly during fillerpass.

Ozden Supplement for 6/05 5/9/05 10:40 AM Page 95

WELDING RESEARCH

-S96 JUNE 2005-s96

cording to an equation for the heat devel-opment in the electrode, the current heatincreases with cubic power of time. Equa-tion 4 after Aman (Ref. 1) can be used toqualitatively compare the GTAW elec-trodes

where Q1 is the theoretical amount of heatwithout losses, which is developed in theelectrode within the time interval betweenthe beginning t0 and end of welding t; I isthe arc current, and q is the electrode crosssection.

Equation 5 gives the temperature riseDT in °C in the electrode as a function of

specific heat c, density s, and electricalconductivity s during the entire weldingtime t as follows:

Long arc-on time and high current loadcan lead to a fast destruction of the elec-trode point and, thus, to instabilities in thearc and weld joint errors. Therefore, it ispossible that the electrode temperaturecan be regarded as a condition criterion.

Selection of the condition criterion de-pends especially on the test conditions.The choice of a wear mark on electrodesin different pressure levels resulted in dif-ficulties, because a “new” wear mark ineach test should be determined dependingupon ambient pressure. For the following

tests, percentage shortening of the elec-trode point was selected as a main condi-tion criterion because the wear rate con-tains all the parameters mentioned in theprevious sections and reflects all the ef-fects of them.

Tests for Determining ElectrodeService Life

Both long-term and short-term testsfor determining electrode service life canbe performed. In long-term tests, servicelife values can be determined more pre-cisely than in short-term tests. Because ofthe high expenditure of materials andtime, short-term service life tests wereused for this study. In these tests, suffi-ciently exact reference values could alsobe obtained. Depending upon the testaim, service life tests with current load orwear were executed. In the test with cur-rent load, the electrode was loaded in acertain time period with different amper-ages. The rising electrode wear was deter-mined for comparison and extrapolatedfor longer periods of operation. In the ser-vice life test according to wear, the timeperiod in which a respective wear criterionlimit applied under certain welding condi-tions was achieved was measured. In orderto shorten the test duration, one operateswith higher amperages and standard weld-ing values.

The test facilities consisted of a hyper-baric welding chamber, energy and gassupply system, and testing devices forwelding, control, and monitoring as well asdocumentation. A pressure chamber witha volume of 10 m3, a swivel-mounted andCNC remote-controlled welding device, awater cooler, and smoke filter made upthe hyperbaric welding chamber — Fig. 5.In the tests, the buildup and joint weldingwere accomplished with V joint prepara-tion for all welding positions in differentwater depths. Basic material S235JR (EN10025) steel with a thickness of 15 mm wasused. In direct current operation, the arccurrent was increased gradually from 50 to300 A. Argon with a 4.6 grade and a mix-ture of argon and helium as shielding gas,as well as a “tri mix” (He, CO2, and N2)mixture as chamber gas were used. TheGTAW machine with water cooling usedin the test had a ceramic 10-mm-diameterinert gas nozzle. For the investigations,GTAW electrodes WT 20 and WL 10 withtip included angles of 30, 45, and 60 deg(EN 26848) and with diameters of 3.2 and4.0 mm were selected — Fig. 4. The elec-trodes were abraded mechanically and ac-curately polished with a diamond disk.The contact ignition of the electrodes,which had proved more favorable thanhigh-frequency ignition in hyperbaricGTAW conditions, took place alterna-

DTQI

cs

I

qt= ∞[ ]s 2

2C (5)

QI L

qt

tt

t t t cal

1

20

0

3

0

30

0.24

0.530.39

0.1 (4)

=

- -È

ÎÍÍ

˘

˚˙˙ [ ]

Fig. 4 — Wear dimensions at the electrode point.

Fig. 5 — Computer numerically remote-controlled GTAW device of the hyperbaric pressure chamber.

Ozden Supplement for 6/05 5/9/05 10:40 AM Page 96

WELDING RESEARCH

-S97 -s97WELDING JOURNAL

tively on a Cu sheet metal or on the work-piece with an arc length of 4 mm that waskept constant by an arc voltage control de-vice — Fig. 3A. The prepared CNC pro-gram prevented excessive mechanical orelectrical loading and, thus, possible dam-age to the electrode points during the ig-nition process.

Test Results and Discussion

A significant characteristic of elec-trode wear arises in the beginning of thetest with the ignition process. After a fewseconds, the wear process stabilizes and,then, a continuous wear that is dependenton the welding conditions arises. Duringthe ignition process, about two-thirds ofthe entire point shortening of the elec-trode takes place. Figure 6 shows the timedependence of the wear rate percentage(VR) on the arc duration tBr in GTAWunder hyperbaric conditions. The mea-sured values of the wear are approxi-mately on a straight line in low ambientpressure. With rising ambient pressure,the gradient of the curves increases due tofaster chemical destruction of electrodescaused by high temperatures.

The selection of the straight line of thewear mark VT20 (shortening of the elec-trode point around 20%) as condition cri-terion refers to previous test results (Ref.10). Up to this wear mark, a reproduciblejoint quality is ensured. The intersectionpoints of the straight lines of the wear ascondition criterion are at approximately10 min for WT 20, and at approximately 35min for WL 10 in the ambient pressure of30 bars.

The important test parameters are tobe determined from the correspondingfigures. Figure 7 gives the wear rate (usedas a condition criterion) as a function of

the ambient pressure with different cur-rent loads of 75, 100, 150, 200, and 250 A.Herein, the gradient of the curves risesalso with increasing amperage. In normalatmospheric conditions, the difference isslight, about 5% up to 10 bars. However,the difference rises up to 20% in high am-bient pressure of 30 bars. The investiga-tions indicate that the instability of the arcincreases with increasing ambient pres-sure at the same wear. Hence, for the se-lection of the service life mark, the arc sta-bility and the weld joint formation areconsulted as auxiliary criteria. The gradi-ent of the curve of service life criterion de-creases with rising ambient pressure. Ac-cording to this characteristic, by areduction of the amperage from 200 to 100A, the intersection of the curves for wearand service life is raised from an ambientpressure of 25 bars up to 100 bars as seenin Figs. 8 and 9, respectively. Figure 8shows percentage electrode wear rate VRrepresented double-logarithmically as afunction of the arc power in different pres-sure phases. The most important test pa-rameters are to be taken from the samefigure. With rising arc power that dependson arc current and ambient pressure, thewear rate increases due to overheatingelectrode points. The average values areapproximately on the straight lines ofEquation 6:

In Equation 6, CVT and k are constants tobe determined from the tests. Figure 9 in-dicates another service life diagram.Herein the service life of the WT 20 elec-trode is represented as a function of the arcpower in hyperbaric GTAW on a double-

logarithmic diagram. The values are on ap-proached straight lines of Equation 7.

The constant m is also called the Woehlercurve exponent, and one receives the con-stant K from Equation 13, which denotesthe gradient of the life curve as given inFig. 9, as follows:

These constants can be determined fromthe test results as follows:

mP t n t P

n P P

i j j i

i i

=-

( ) - [ ]ÂÂÂÂÂ

log log log log

log log

(14)2 2

K t PD Dm= (13)

tK

P m= (12)

tt P

P

D Dm

m= (11)

P

P

t

tD

m

DÊ

ËÁ

ˆ

¯˜ = (10)

mP

P

t

tD

Dlog log (9)=

mt t

P PD

D

= = --

tanlog log

log log(8)a

t KP K UImm

= = ( )- -(7)

C P VT kVT LBk

= =( )-( )1tan (6)

/; a

Fig. 6 — Percentage of wear rate as a function of arc-on time and ambient pres-sure at the electrode point.

Fig. 7 — Wear rate as a function of the ambient pressure and arc current.

Hyperbaric GTAW

Hyperbaric GTAW

Ozden Supplement for 6/05 5/9/05 10:40 AM Page 97

WELDING RESEARCH

JUNE 2005-s98

where P is arc power in watts, tEl is elec-trode service life in minutes, m is the tan-gent of the inclination angle a of the ser-vice life lines, and K is the value of the

abscissa on thetime axis for tEl.

The inclinationof the straight linesdepends on theelectrode parame-ters, especially thechemical composi-tion and the geo-metrical dimen-sions of theelectrode. For se-lection of theGTAW electrodesand for the estima-tion of their servicelife, considerationof the arc power asa variable is ofgreat relevance.

The determinedvalues exhibit alonger service lifeand a higher elec-trical load capacityfor the WL 10 elec-trode than for theWT 20, as shown inFig. 10. This is ex-plained by the factthat the alloy com-

ponents of the WL 10 containing lan-thanum oxide constituents possess higherwear resistances at higher temperatures.That means that the decomposition andthe demolition of the thorium oxides, ofwhich the WT 20 consists, are faster andtheir oxidation resistances are smaller athigher temperatures than those of lan-thanum oxides.

In the tests performed, the influencesof the following parameters on electrode

service life were not considered: coolingwater, type of current, inert gas, medium,and tip included angle of the electrodes.Effective cooling and high surface qualityof electrodes can reduce electrode wearand extend the service life.

For accurate life expectancy of thetungsten electrodes, data from the exper-imental realizations are missing. At pre-sent, a solution of regression analysiswould not be meaningful because of themissing knowledge, since many influencescannot be included yet. By the diagramsprepared with the test results, one can de-termine the ignition duration of the elec-trodes by means of the selected arc currentand arc voltage. In Fig. 9, service life linesof the tungsten electrode represented as afunction of the arc power with an instanceof PD = 1800 W point out an infinite arc-on time. Figure 10 shows the service livesof the examined electrodes. So, with thesediagrams given, missing data and experi-ences can be bridged over.

The question is whether the expendi-ture for an exact determination of theelectrode service life is precious. For re-mote-controlled, unmanned hyperbaricGTAW, its exact determination would beof great importance in onshore and off-shore technology.

Discussion and Conclusions

Correct electrode selection and ex-tending the service life of electrodes cansubstantially increase the efficiency of theprocedure. For these reasons, in thisstudy, the influences of the electrodes andthe adjusting parameters such as the arccurrent and ambient pressure on the elec-trode service life were examined. Further,

log

log log log log log

log log

(15)

2

2 2

K

P t t t P

n P P

i j i j i

i i

=

( ) -

( ) - [ ]ÂÂÂÂ

ÂÂ

Fig. 8 — Wear rate as a function of arc power and ambient pressure. Fig. 9 — Service life of the tungsten electrode under hyperbaric weldingconditions.

Fig. 10 — Lifetime straight lines of WL 10 and WT 20 electrode S235JR.

WE

LDIN

G A

RC

PO

WE

R P

=U

I, W

Hyperbaric GTAW

Hyperbaric GTAW

Hyperbaric GTAW

Ozden Supplement for 6/05 5/9/05 10:48 AM Page 98

WELDING RESEARCH

-s99WELDING JOURNAL

the other examined influences of the elec-trode parameters on the welding process— arc stability, ignition readiness, weldjoint geometry, and electrode wear—were analyzed and will be published at alater time. Moreover, for determining andcomputing the service life of tungstenelectrodes, wear criteria were compiled bymeans of the tests that were carried out.The choice of a wear mark on electrodesin different pressure levels resulted in dif-ficulties, because a “new” wear mark ineach test should be determined dependingupon pressure levels. Already small wearleads to large arc fluctuations under highambient pressure. For the delimitation ofthe service life tests, two kinds of elec-trodes (WL10 and WT 20), which are pre-dominantly preferred in practice, were se-lected. The present study produced thefollowing results:• The provided service life diagrams of

WL 10 and WT 20 electrodes as a func-tion of ambient pressure and arc powerare of great importance for practice inhyperbaric GTAW procedure.

• The determined values exhibited longerarc-on time and higher electrical loadcapacity and, thus, better performancefor the WL 10 electrode than for theWT 20 electrode. This is of great im-portance for remote-controlled, un-manned underwater welding.

• By the diagrams prepared with the testresults, one can determine the ignition

duration of the electrodes by means ofthe selected arc current and arc voltage.

• The investigations showed that the con-tact ignition of the arc marginally de-pends on the type and tip included angleof the electrodes.

• The ignition current and affected periodproved to be pressure-dependent.The many influencing factors as well as

unpredictable occurrences during hyper-baric GTAW make it more difficult to ob-tain an exact and generally accepted de-termination of the service life of theelectrodes. The service life diagrams pro-vided herein apply only under the test con-ditions given. The compiled formulas forcomputation of electrode service life havean empirical form, which can be used forestimation as well as for the comparison oftheir service life in hyperbaric dry GTAW.Further, an automated electrode changeafter a defined service life, such as with anautomatic change of cutting tools duringrotation or boring, is of great advantage inhyperbaric GTAW.

References

1. Conn, W. M. Technical physics of the arcwelding. Berlin, Germany: Springer-Verlag (inGerman).

2. Bohlen C. 1982. Textbook of the Gas-Shielded Welding. Girardet, Schwerte (in Ger-man).

3. Allum, C. I. 1982. Characteristics and

structure of high pressure 0–42 bars welding.Ph.D. thesis, Cranfield Institute of Technology.

4. Huisman, G. 1985. Investigations to hy-perbaric TIG welding within the pressure rangebetween 1 and 16 bars. Ph.D. thesis, Universityof German Federal Armed Forces, Hamburg(in German).

5. Huismann, G., Hoffmeister, H., and Kra-genheim, H. O. 1989. Effect of TIG-electrodeproperties on wear behaviour under hyperbaricconditions of 40 bars. Sept. 4, 5, Helsinki, Fin-land, pp. 239–246.

6. Ozden, H. 1992. CNC remote controlledhyperbaric TIG welding up to 280 m depth ofwater. Ph.D. thesis, University of German Fed-eral Armed Forces, Hamburg (in German).

7. Flemming, D. 1966. Characteristics oftungsten electrodes for TIG welding.Schweißen & Schneiden 8: H5 497–502 (in Ger-man).

8. Matsuda, F., Ushio, M., and Kumagai, T.1989. Fundamental arc characteristics of La-,Y- and Ce-oxide tungsten electrodes. WeldingInternational, pp. 497–502.

9. Savage, W. F., and Strunck, S. S. 1965. Theeffect of electrode geometry in gas tungsten arcwelding. Welding Journal 44(11): 489–496.

10. Ozden, H. 1992. Influence of the elec-trodes on the TIG welding in hyperbaric condi-tions up to 280 m depth of water. GKSS Re-search Center, Geesthacht GmbH, Germany(in German).

11. N. N. 1983. Underwater welding and cut-ting. Int. Symposium, pp. 23–34 , Geeshacht,Germany (in German).

Call For PapersThe 6th European Conference on Welding, Joining, and Cutting

Santiago de Compostela, Spain, June 28–30, 2006

The 6th European Conference on Welding, Joining, and Cutting, sponsored by the European Federation for Joining, Welding, andCutting (EWF), in association with the Spanish Association of Welding and Joining Technologies (CESOL), and the MetallurgicalResearch Association of the Northwest (AIMEN), has issued a call for papers and posters.

Papers are sought on a wide variety of topics including welding, joining, surfacing, cutting and related processes and equipment,such as laser beam and plasma arc welding, brazing and soldering, adhesive bonding, friction stir welding, resistance welding, weld-ing consumables. Visit www.cesol.es/EUROJOIN6/16JTS.php for a complete list of recommended topics, detailed author’s submit-tal information, and description of the prizes to be presented in four categories.

The deadline for submission of titles and 300–500-word abstracts is September 30, 2005. The deadline for submission ofcompleted conference papers or posters is February 28, 2006. Manuscripts and oral presentations may be presented in English orSpanish. Documents must be submitted in electronic MS Word format with figures provided in TIFF, JPEG, or GIF formats.

Send your intention to participate, including title and abstract of the work to be presented, to CESOL, Gabino Jimeno 5B, 28026Madrid, Spain; FAX: +34 91 500 53 77; cesol@cesol.es, by September 30, 2005.

Ozden Supplement for 6/05 5/9/05 10:40 AM Page 99

All authors should address themselves to the fol-lowing questions when writing papers for submission tothe Welding Research Supplement:

◆ Why was the work done?◆ What was done?◆ What was found?◆ What is the significance of your results?◆ What are your most important conclusions?With those questions in mind, most authors can log-

ically organize their material along the following lines,using suitable headings and subheadings to divide thepaper.

1) Abstract. A concise summary of the major ele-ments of the presentation, not exceeding 200 words, tohelp the reader decide if the information is for him orher.

2) Introduction. A short statement giving relevantbackground, purpose, and scope to help orient thereader. Do not duplicate the abstract.

3) Experimental Procedure, Materials, Equipment.4) Results, Discussion. The facts or data obtained

and their evaluation.5) Conclusion. An evaluation and interpretation of

your results. Most often, this is what the readers

remember.6) Acknowledgment, References and Appendix.Keep in mind that proper use of terms, abbrevia-

tions, and symbols are important considerations in pro-cessing a manuscript for publication. For welding termi-nology, the Welding Journal adheres to AWS A3.0:2001,Standard Welding Terms and Definitions.

Papers submitted for consideration in the WeldingResearch Supplement are required to undergo PeerReview before acceptance for publication. Submit anoriginal and one copy (double-spaced, with 1-in. marginson 8 1⁄2 x 11-in. or A4 paper) of the manuscript. A manu-script submission form should accompany the manu-script.

Tables and figures should be separate from themanuscript copy and only high-quality figures will bepublished. Figures should be original line art or glossyphotos. Special instructions are required if figures aresubmitted by electronic means. To receive completeinstructions and the manuscript submission form,please contact the Peer Review Coordinator, DoreenKubish, at (305) 443-9353, ext. 275; FAX 305-443-7404; or write to the American Welding Society, 550 NWLeJeune Rd., Miami, FL 33126.

Preparation of Manuscripts for Submissionto the Welding Journal Research Supplement

Text• approximately 1500–3500 words in length •submit hard copy• submissions via disk or electronic transmission —

preferred format is Mac but common PC files arealso acceptable

• acceptable disks include floppy, zip, and CD.

Format• include a title• include a subtitle or “blurb” highlighting major point or

idea• include all author names, titles, affiliations, geograph-

ic locations• separate paper into sections with headings

Photos/Illustrations/Figures• glossy prints, slides, or transparencies are acceptable• black and white and color photos must be scanned at

a minimum of 300 dpi• line art should be scanned at 1000 dpi• photos must include a description of

action/object/person and relevance for use as a cap-tion

• prints must be a minimum size of 4 in. x 6 in., makingcertain the photo is sharp

• do not embed the figures or photos in the text• acceptable electronic format for photos and figures

are EPS, JPEG, and TIFF. TIFF format is preferred.

Other• illustrations should accompany article

• drawings, tables, and graphs should be legible forreproduction and labeled with captions

• references/bibliography should be included at the endof the article

Editorial Deadline• January issue deadline is November 11 • February issue deadline is December 10• March issue deadline is January 13• April issue deadline is February 10• May issue deadline is March 10• June issue deadline is April 9• July issue deadline is May 12• August issue deadline is June 13• September issue deadline is July 11• October issue deadline is August 11• November issue deadline is September 12• December issue deadline is October 10

Suggested topics for articles• case studies, specific projects• new procedures, “how to”• applied technology

Mail to:Andrew CullisonEditor, Welding Journal550 NW LeJeune RoadMiami, FL 33126(305) 443-9353, x 249; FAX (305) 443-7404cullison@aws.org

WELDING JOURNALInstructions and Suggestions for Preparation of Articles

Page 100s 5/12/05 2:15 PM Page 100