Ways of solving the problems of implementation of flash-butt resistance welding on the main big-diameter pipelines (an overview)
The efficiency of construction and assembly works on main pipelines is essentially determined by the rate of welding assembly works. Therefore, the quality assurance of welded joints and enhancement of efficiency of welding processes in pipelines are important tasks. An effective solution to these problems is to eliminate the obstacles to the implementation of the advanced method of welding, that is, the flash-butt resistance welding. However, this method is characterized by a reduction in mechanical properties of welded joints and the appearance of characteristic defects in the form of «dead spots». To eliminate these defects and to provide the required properties of joints, the comprehensive research should be conducted on the basis of physical and mathematical modeling of specific steps in the welding process including thermal and deformation processes. To carry them out, a virtual flash-butt resistance welding process should be developed. It will make it possible to assess the effect of process parameters on the quality of welded joints. This can help in selecting the optimum welding parameters to ensure stable high-quality joints.