Has anyone come across Hydro-Arc welding?

[northwest]

I was reading an article the other day, I can't remember where now, possibly one of the trade magazines, and it mentioned a process called Hydro-Arc welding. Apparently it uses superheated steam instead of shielding gas to create the arc. The idea being that water is the consumable rather than gas bottles, which obviously has a certain appeal.

I must admit I'm not entirely sure what to make of it, it sounds a bit like someone got confused between a kettle and a welder to me, but apparently it's being used in aerospace. Has anyone come across it or tried it?

 

[Cobbler]

Used in aerospace to make the tea, maybe. I would have thought superheated steam was highly corrosive, but no knowledge

 

[Ton-up]

Superheated steam is dry so would act like a gas.

 

[BrokenBiker]

are we talking the same superheated steam as used in turbines to generate electrickery? at those temps there wouldnt be much corrosion concern, iirc its around 450 degrees C so no moisture remaining. had to do an induction safety briefing on it for a job a while back as there were steam boilers near to where iw as working. i think pressure plays a fair part in whether it can be considered super heated as well, if the pressure isnt correct im sure its just really hot steam still although im not too certain on the actual process.

 

[addjunkie]

Steam becomes superheated when it is heated above the saturation temperature. The steam is superheated in an additional heat exchanger without the presence of water. If water is still present adding heat will just flash the water off to wet steam. I spent much hours studying this stuff, but it was long ago as Im old.

Superheated steam is dry, tubes more likely to fail by loss of protection by direct heat rather than corrosion. Big boilers screen the superheater section with screen tubes wet steam filled, closer to the flame.

Ive herd tell if looking for leaks in superheated steam, Youd be using a long bamboo pole with a rag on the end, as itll cut your limbs off!

 

[northwest]

Are we talking the same superheated steam as used in turbines to generate electrickery? at those temps there wouldnt be much corrosion concern, iirc its around 450 degrees C so no moisture remaining. had to do an induction safety briefing on it for a job a while back as there were steam boilers near to where iw as working. i think pressure plays a fair part in whether it can be considered super heated as well, if the pressure isnt correct im sure its just really hot steam still although im not too certain on the actual process.

 

[northwest]

That bamboo pole detail is fascinating and slightly terrifying in equal measure. I'm now wondering if the aerospace industry uses a longer pole. I'm still not entirely clear though whether any of this would actually help me weld a bit of stainless, perhaps I need to do more research, or just stick to CO2...

 

[Robotstar5]

Ive herd tell if looking for leaks in superheated steam, Youd be using a long bamboo pole with a rag on the end, as itll cut your limbs off!

I heard that as well, I worked with an ex-RN guy who told me they would use a broom handle as a "leak detector"

 

[Erie Fred]

I was reading an article the other day, I can't remember where now, possibly one of the trade magazines, and it mentioned a process called Hydro-Arc welding. Apparently it uses superheated steam instead of shielding gas to create the arc. The idea being that water is the consumable rather than gas bottles, which obviously has a certain appeal.

I must admit I'm not entirely sure what to make of it, it sounds a bit like someone got confused between a kettle and a welder to me, but apparently it's being used in aerospace. Has anyone come across it or tried it?

to "create the arc"...?????

Electricity IIRC is used somewhere in creating the arc.

Might you mean "shielding the arc" ?

IIRC I read an old Roosian publication showing some hand held torch design
with an arc and water, steam was created to provide a shield.
Might have been a plasma cutter attachment.