Hello all,
Our company is developing a pipe fab shop within our warehouse to fabricate pipe up to 14" dia. Were in the very beginning stages of setting up the shop, buying equipment and developing a QCM.
Our first project is to ASME B31.1 and CSA B51 standards, fabricating pipe from 3" to 14" with some of the spools/lines requiring 10% xray as per spec.
My question is regarding welding procedures. I have asked around and the consensus seems to be that the best method for welding full pen pipe up to 14" is TIG root with SMAW hot pass/cap. I know that SMAW 6010 root with SMAW 7018 hotpass/cap is also an option. And I havent looked into MIG root pass or combinations.
We will be qualifying our own procedures but I need advice/recommendations on which processes and combination methods are most efficient with best results (especially for xray). Should we have a quicker process for non xray welds and one for xray? Can we develop our own procedures or is it best to consult and Engineering firm and have them develop WPS for us.
Appreciate all your help and advice.
Hey Guys,
I appreciate your input on this.
Funny enough, in the last 2 days we have come to the conclusion that we will be going with RMD MIG root pass w/ MIG or FCAW fill and cap with MIller Pipeworx 575 Model. The cost is a little bit high for initial purchase but the shear speed, effectiveness, deposition rate, soundness and operator error mitigation, this machine will practically pay for itself in no time.
I have to decide (and very soon) on what process to use for fill and cap. Im leaning towards MIG, to steer away from chipping, cleaning of slag and possibility of slag inclusions but still open to suggestions.