Anew method for joining cast iron plates is developed utilizing a consumable electroslag welding. Four types of filler materials such as a mild steel wire, a silicon-containing wire, a cored wire containing white cast iron or gray cast iron powder and a meehanite cast iron rod, are used for comparison.
By using a mild steel wire or a silicon-containing wire, it is possible to join cast iron, but a very hard zone due to formation of cementite is produced in the weld metal, and the strength of welded joint is unsatisfactory.
On the other hand, the weld metal obtained by a cored wire or a cast iron rod process contains 3.05 to 3.38% carbon and 1.73 to 2.58% silicon, and is all satisfactory with respect to hardness, strength, colour tone and damped coefficient.