Welding Technique for Welding of Piping Systems

Root Pass

Root pass shall be made with electrodes/filler wires recommended in the welding specification chart. For fillet welding, root welding shall be done with consumables recommended for filler passes.

The preferred size of the electrodes is 2.5 mm diameter (12 SWG) but in any case not greater than 3.25 mm (10 SWG).

Upward technique shall be adopted for welding pipe held fixed with its axis horizontal.

The root pass of butt joints should be executed so as to achieve full penetration with complete fusion of the root edges. Weld projection inside the pipe shall be as per applicable code. It shall be limited 3mm map. when the applicable code does not place any restriction.

Any deviation desired from the recommended welding technique and electrodes indicated in the welding specification chart should be adopted only after obtaining express approval of the Engineer-in-Charge.

Welding shall be uninterrupted.  While the welding is in progress care should be taken to avoid any kind of movement of the components, shocks, vibrations and stresses to prevent occurrence of weld cracks.  Peening shall not be used.

Joint Completion

Joint shall be completed using the class of electrodes, recommended in the Welding Specification Chart. Size of the electrode shall not exceed 4 mm in diameter for stainless steels and alloy steels used for low temperature applications.

Two weld beads shall not be started at the same point in different layers.

Butt joints shall be completed with a cover layer that would affect good fusion at the joint edges and a gradual notch free surface.

Each weld joint shall have a workmanship like finish. Weld identification work shall be stamped clearly at each joint, just adjacent to the weld. Metal stamping shall not be used on thin pipe having wall thickness less than 3.5mm. Suitable paint shall be used
on thin wall pipes for identification.

Rust preventive/protective painting shall be done after the weld joint has been approved.

Dissimilar Welds

Where welds are to be produced between carbon steels and alloy steels, preheat and post weld heat treatment requirements shall be those specified for corresponding alloy steels and filler wire/electrodes shall correspond to ER 70 S-G or AWS E-7016/7018 type.

For welds between two dissimilar Cr-Mo low alloy steels, preheat and post weld heat treatments shall be those specified for higher alloy steel and electrodes used shall correspond to those specified for steel of lower alloy content.

For carbon steel or alloy steel to stainless welds, use of filler wire/electrodes E/ER-309/E-310/E NiCr Fe-3 shall be made. The welding procedure as well as electrodes/filler wires to be used shall be approved by the Engineer-in-Charge.