TIG WELDING JOINS SMALL STAINLESS TUBES TO THICK TUBE-SHEET
A technique is described which can be used for internally butt welding stainless-steel tubing, as small as 0.240-in. ID by 0.035-in. wall thickness, successfully to thick tubesheets. The conditions are tabulated for welding the tubes to the tube-sheets, and between tubes. The five welds joining 6- and 3-in. lengths of tubing had a good appearance, and all -welds passed the dye-check and mass spectrometer leak tests. Radiographic examinations showed defect-free welds, while two tubes had good strength and ductility. In the simulated tube- sheet, 13 of the 14 welds passed the mass-spectrometer leak test. The failure appeared to have a leak in the tube-sheet extension rather than in the weld. Weld heat input, adequate for tube-to-tube-welding, was not great enough to make full penetration welds in tube to tubesheets. Changing the position of the tungsten electrode, so that it strikes more directly on the heavier tube-sheet extension side of the joint, may give better control of weld drop-through. (B.O.G.)
- Research Organization:
- Knolls Atomic Power Lab., Schenectady, N.Y.
- NSA Number:
- NSA-15-007734
- OSTI ID:
- 4111828
- Journal Information:
- Welding J. (N.Y.), Journal Name: Welding J. (N.Y.) Vol. Vol: 45, No. 11
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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