For butt welding $$40mm$$ thick steel plates, when the expected quantity of such jobs is $$5000$$ per month over a period of $$10$$ years, choose the best suitable welding process out of the following available alternatives.

The voltage-arc length characteristics of a $$DC$$ arc is given by $$V=20+4L.$$ Where $$L$$ is in $$mm$$. During a welding operation arc length is expected to vary between $$4$$ and $$6$$ $$mm$$ with the welding current limited between $$450$$ and $$550$$amps.

If the power source has a linear characteristic, the open circuit voltage is.

The voltage-arc length characteristics of a $$DC$$ arc is given by $$V=20+4L.$$ Where $$L$$ is in $$mm$$. During a welding operation arc length is expected to vary between $$4$$ and $$6$$ $$mm$$ with the welding current limited between $$450$$ and $$550$$amps.

The arc power at an arc length of $$5mm$$ is

Welding of $$C40$$ steel plate of $$10mm$$ thickness required a current of $$16$$amps, while it was $$360$$amps when the plate thickness was increased by $$50\% $$. Estimate the welding current for $$8mm$$ thickness of same material.