I'm pretty new at this and some of you guys might can help me.
I'm trying to certify about 50 or so of my welders (GMAW),I have some that passed 1/2 T-joint with A-36 base metal, but it was a nightmare!
Some had to retake and retake and finally passed! I want to change the Base metal to 1/4 or 3/8 inch to help out with their penatration problem.
What Base Material should I use??~~~~~1F & 2F- currently using Material specs- A-36 95% Argon 5% Oxygen. with 0.035 wire.
What material spec. should I use?
1/4 inch thickness is enough for the welding we do here, and 1 inch is overKill. Simple problem but the specs. have gotten me Bumfuzzled!
Thanks in advance!
Ok, if I read your post correctly your trying to certify fillets in flat and horizontal position?
I don't have my D1 copy at hand today (thank you Martin Luther King Jr.) but I recall for Groove welds that 3/8 inch will qualify up to 3/4 inche thickness. If fillets are the same that looks like a good idea for you.
However, If you are having troubles quaifying welders with the 1/2 inch material I think process control is the primary issue to be addressed rather than material selection.
What are the parameter ranges for wirefeed speed and voltage the welders are being held do? If your not getting good spray transfer sidewall fusion will always be problematic.
Sorry Guys,
I've been on the road a couple days!
I am currently running 200-270 amps/ 24/29.5 V.
But good news....I found some 1/4'' A 36 plates, and let me tell you, these plates don't come easy, obviously!
I'll start retesting this week, and I'll keep you guys posted on the outcome! Penetration killed everyone last round....I really dont know why.We are hiring so fast here that the Quality of the welders are getting very low! We'll see how they do now.
Thanks For all The Help Guys!!
Hi,
Whether you're welding 1/2" thick or 1/4" thick plates, you really shouldn't have a penetration problem using 95% argon. If your welders are having a problem with penetration, you may need to look at the parameters set forth in your welding procedure, i.e., amps, volts, wire feed speed, etc., as Lawrence suggested. If you post your settings, maybe someone can help resolve your problem.
A36 material is fine for this test. Unfortunately, D1.1 doesn't have provisions for welder qualification on job size materials. You're pretty much stuck with 1/2" or 3/8" for fillet weld qualification on plate unless you want to use the Option 3 fillet weld test in Fig. 4.20, which is a pipe fillet welded to a flat plate. The Option 2 test in Fig. 4.32 uses 3/8" plate, but you have to do a root bend test instead of fillet weld break and macroetch.
As far as parameters, you'll need to be running at least 160 amps (controlled by wire feed speed) and over 22 volts to get better penetration. A 75% argon/25% CO2 mix would give a deeper weld penetration profile than the 95/5 you are using. I highly recommend checking Ed Craig's website for some good info on GMAW parameters. Here is a link:
http://www.weldreality.com/
What exactly are you looking for in the test specimen?
Why are the welds failing your tests?
GMAW short circuit has another topic posted here thats pretty in-depth.
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