Munkul
Jack of some trades, Master of none
- Messages
- 7,689
- Location
- Cumbria
We're on with weld testing at the moment. I'm coaching our two welders, not because I'm an expert but just because I have a bit of idea of what to do.
We're doing 2mm and 3mm plate tests (funky reasons I don't want to get into) - single sided butts and fillets. All uphill 3G/3F position. SS304 with 308L filler.
Testing to ISO, qualifying a WPQR and 1 extra welder.
The fillets are fine.
The butts... they're struggling with.
We're using a big alloy plate fixture which clamps the plates in place, and also purges from the back. It seems to work really well, very clean purge.
I can nail the 2mm butt no bother, all that stainless steel TIG over the last couple of years helps I guess. The two guys aren't far behind (they haven't ever had to test on TIG before). TBH the 2mm is very easy. Square edge, 1.6mm gap, 1.6 wire, 65-70 amps. They'll be there probably by the end of tomorrow.
The 3mm butt is a lot trickier...
I'm gapping it around 2.4mm, again square edge no prep, tacking every 30-40mm, and feathering the tacks back with a grinder. It still closes the gap up to almost nothing by the end of the run. We also can't get enough penetration through to the other side.
My question is, should we give the plates some bevel prep? I was trying to avoid it if at all possible. If not, what should we be doing? Hanging around for longer and keyholing it? It gets very hot if you hang around.
We're doing 2mm and 3mm plate tests (funky reasons I don't want to get into) - single sided butts and fillets. All uphill 3G/3F position. SS304 with 308L filler.
Testing to ISO, qualifying a WPQR and 1 extra welder.
The fillets are fine.
The butts... they're struggling with.
We're using a big alloy plate fixture which clamps the plates in place, and also purges from the back. It seems to work really well, very clean purge.
I can nail the 2mm butt no bother, all that stainless steel TIG over the last couple of years helps I guess. The two guys aren't far behind (they haven't ever had to test on TIG before). TBH the 2mm is very easy. Square edge, 1.6mm gap, 1.6 wire, 65-70 amps. They'll be there probably by the end of tomorrow.
The 3mm butt is a lot trickier...
I'm gapping it around 2.4mm, again square edge no prep, tacking every 30-40mm, and feathering the tacks back with a grinder. It still closes the gap up to almost nothing by the end of the run. We also can't get enough penetration through to the other side.
My question is, should we give the plates some bevel prep? I was trying to avoid it if at all possible. If not, what should we be doing? Hanging around for longer and keyholing it? It gets very hot if you hang around.
