Applications and challenges of arc welding methods in dissimilar metal joining

Dissimilar metal welding is a significant metal joining process with an extensive application in industrial domain. The quality of the welded joint is of critical importance in these applications and quite an issue since the base metals are different primarily due to different physical, chemical and mechanical characteristics. In this paper, the challenges encountered in dissimilar metal joining are enlisted with a brief discussion on the corresponding causes. As discussed in the literature, several methods exist to form dissimilar joints. However, arc-based fusion methods are prominently used. Therefore, an overview of these methods is presented along with the applications in which these methods have been used. The study provides a brief account of the materials that have been successfully joined using these methods and the influence of significant parameters including filler materials on the effectiveness of dissimilar joining.