A Novel Technological Assessment for Welding Heavy Wall Stainless Steel

Abstract

In an effort to maximize quality and production in both field and shop fabrication while minimizing cost, Fluor and PCL, in a joint venture, assessed new welding technology comparing power sources, arc transfer modes, and shielding gas mixtures using various semi-automatic welding processes. The results were combined with “No-Backing Gas” (NBG) root technique to provide ASME code acceptable welds with excellent corrosion and crack resistance for type 321 Stainless Steel [1]. Welds were deposited in approximately one third the time commonly demanded by conventional welding. The strategies for the selection of a welding power source, arc transfer modes, shielding gas mixtures, and the successful bridging from quality and integrity validation to shop and field implementation are discussed.