The use of wrong welding filler metal for SS to SS pipes.
The use of wrong welding filler metal for SS to SS pipes.
(OP)
Good day,
I am presently working on the construction of a UAN,Melamine,Urea and Ammonia complex in Trinidad.
During routine QA/QC activities one of my inspectors discovered that a welder was using ER 70S-2 type filler metal to make the root pass on 304/316SS joints which are in a highly corrosive service.
How can it be determined on a completed SS weld if a carbon steel filler metal was initially used to make the root pass?
I know that a magnetism check can be be performed on the completed welds on thinner schedule pipes or a copper sulphate check(due to dilution during the welding process).
How do I determine if a CS filler metal was used for the root pass on a heavy wall pipe?
What checks or tests can I perform to determine this?
I eagerly await your response and all opinions and suggestions are welcomed.
Best Regards,
DalipD
Senior Plant Inspector
I am presently working on the construction of a UAN,Melamine,Urea and Ammonia complex in Trinidad.
During routine QA/QC activities one of my inspectors discovered that a welder was using ER 70S-2 type filler metal to make the root pass on 304/316SS joints which are in a highly corrosive service.
How can it be determined on a completed SS weld if a carbon steel filler metal was initially used to make the root pass?
I know that a magnetism check can be be performed on the completed welds on thinner schedule pipes or a copper sulphate check(due to dilution during the welding process).
How do I determine if a CS filler metal was used for the root pass on a heavy wall pipe?
What checks or tests can I perform to determine this?
I eagerly await your response and all opinions and suggestions are welcomed.
Best Regards,
DalipD
Senior Plant Inspector





RE: The use of wrong welding filler metal for SS to SS pipes.
RE: The use of wrong welding filler metal for SS to SS pipes.
You might want to consider the contamination that might occur to surrounding pipe if you grind out the welds. As the grinder hits the root, it would spread carbon steel particles for some distance up and down the pipe. You may need to consider a chemical clean following removal of the welds or you may want to consider cutting out the welds whole rather than grinding them out as would be normal practice?
RE: The use of wrong welding filler metal for SS to SS pipes.
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Plymouth Tube
RE: The use of wrong welding filler metal for SS to SS pipes.
RE: The use of wrong welding filler metal for SS to SS pipes.
Steve Jones
Materials & Corrosion Engineer
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/8/83b/b04
RE: The use of wrong welding filler metal for SS to SS pipes.
I think the the consequence of a failure is to high and have made the recommendation that all the SS joint which this welder worked on using the wrong electrodes be cut out.
The service which these pipes are in is highly corrosive and dilution of the CS and SS during the welding process will definitely cause the welds to degredate whilst in service and a failure is definitely eminant hence my recommendation to cut them out.
RE: The use of wrong welding filler metal for SS to SS pipes.
RE: The use of wrong welding filler metal for SS to SS pipes.
Actually, I work in determination of PMI for determinate of root of welding of SS, I use a RX gun, like a Niton. In your case, you could do a tasting in the weld metal, and then you don´t need broke the weld.
Best regards.
Cartagena - Spain.