Friends,
I'm hoping to ignite a broad discussion about the topic mentioned above.
I have asked myself "Might Gas Shielded Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) ever be a competitive Joining Process vs Gas Shielded Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) as being used in the Nuclear Power Station erecting Industry?"
In particular I am considering tube welds carried out by using orbital welding equipment or being performed by manual GTA Welding.
You know, I am pursuing the history of the welding processes within this sector since many years with a great interest. And I hope you may agree with me when I say that GTAW was or is yet unbeatable as being the most reliable and stable welding process, followed by SMAW. I have read lots of papers over the years dealing with trials to implement GMAW within Nuclear Welding Applications but even though the laboratory results were very impressive and sound, GMAW has - at least to my best knowledge - never adequately been used in this highest technology level sector.
Since there are efforts or a rebirth observable in Europe but as well in the USA and even globally to increase - in relation to the current CO2 emission discussions - the nuclear power generation and on the other hand there is a considerable sophistication in the GMAW technology observable as well, I am curious if now - as new nuclear power plants are planned to be built, advanced GMAW might have a chance to eventually replace GTAW from its leading position as the #1 welding process in this field.
And where may a question as mine be better placed as here in the worlds best welding forum, where all the best welders, experts, NDT specialists, engineers,..., are meeting periodically?? Nowhere!
So any kind of opinion, idea, assumption or even general feedback on this topic is greatly appreciated!
Thanks and best regards,
Stephan