Corrosion of Welded Metal Structures of Mining Equipment
Mining equipment made of welded metal structures is strongly affected by the corrosion phenomenon due to the working conditions. Initial research has shown that the corrosion phenomenon is most pronounced in the area of cross-welded joints and welded T-shaped joints. In the researches, there was made a chemical analysis of the welded construction material used respectively of the new material and it was observed a reduction in carbon concentration in the material used, but also a substantial increase in the sulfur concentration compared to the new material. The pronounced corrosion of the metallic structure is influenced by the chemical composition change because the sulfur is a grafitizing and weakening element, and the decrease in carbon concentration causes a decrease in corrosion resistance. Also, the pronounced corrosion is due to the action of sulfurous acid (H2SO3) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S), elements that are present in the working environment of welded constructions. In order to achieve a reduction in the corrosion phenomenon, it is very important that the welded joints are made using the optimal parameters of the welding regime so as to obtain metallographic structure with finer granulations.