Under Water Welding

[sennafan]

Can anyone tell me the maximum size of a single pass fillet weld performed under water? Also how much performance loss to expect from both single and multi-pass welds underwater?

Thanks

 

[dik]

I've not been involved with this... but, I would think that you would use a very low current. Too much is hard on the fish! <G>

I think you would use an oxy-acetylene method of some sort... and I don't know what type of weld deposit you would be looking for.

Dik

 

[kingnero]

There exist coated electrodes for MMA/SMAW that perform well under water. I have seen it done at a demo show this year. As for the dimensions or strength, I cannot help you...

 

[metengr]

Run a coupon for weld procedure qualification and have it tested -tensile and bend tests.

 

[stanweld]

sennafan,
Will the welding be done in a wet environment or a dry environment, at what depth and what is the welding process?

 

[SJones]

Navy Manual S0300-BB-MAN-010 may be a source of guidance.

Steve Jones
Materials & Corrosion Engineer

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/8/83b/b04

 

[MiketheEngineer]

How long can you hold your breath??

 

[sennafan]

Thanks for the responses so far. MiketheEngineer - LOL - not long anymore.

The welding will be wet at depths of 5' to 25'. The diver is saying 1/8" is the maximum size he can make. We were thinking 3/16 to 1/4 in a single pass. Never heard that multiple pass welds were out of the question before. Tried the Navy manual, but the downloaded file will not display beyond Chapter 2.

 

[berkshire]

Sennafan
What is the diver basing his comments on ?
Is this the max amperage of his equipment,
Or is he worried about hydrogen embrittlement and cracking?
B.E.


The good engineer does not need to memorize every formula; he just needs to know where he can find them when he needs them. Old professor

 

[metengr]

sennafan;
As far as I would be concerned the best approach is to have a welding procedure qualified by the welder under field conditions. This is the proof.