AWS 14.1 Help? 3

[fzjames82]

I am new to the world of welding and could use some guidance (or a lot). Our welding area has always been very small so we have never worried with weld procedures or standards. Recently the sales department quoted a part that states “Welding to comply to American Welding Society (AWS) D14.1/D14.1M:2005 specification for welding of industrial and cranes and other material handling equipment which covers weld joints, workmanship, quality control, welding operations, weld joint inspection”. I have purchased AWS D14.1/D14.1M:2005. I have found the class of material (Group IV, A572, grade 50 Low Alloy Columbium-Vanadium Structural Steel). I have been able to determine that for GMAW, ER70S-X filler should be used. What I cannot figure out is what type of gas is required for this particular type of metal and the ranges which it should be welded (gas flow, voltage, wire speed, etc.). Can anyone suggest where to research this information?

 

[denlow60]

AWS A-5.18/SFA-5.18M give you more detail

 

[metengr]

Review the information below regarding selection of filler metals, it will help you

http://www.jflf.org/pdfs/papers/keyconcepts6.pdf

 

[gtaw]

Visit the web site of the filler metal manufacturer to see what gases the filler metal has been qualified with. ESAB and Lincoln show the mechanical properties with specific shielding gases and they list whether the test welds were tested after PWHT or as welded.

If and when you qualify the WPS by testing, you are free to experiment with the different gases and various mixtures to see which combination provides the best operating characteristics and mechanical properties. However, the cost of qualifying a WPS and experimenting with the shielding gas is not inconsequential.

Best regards - Al

 

[fzjames82]

Thanks for the responses guys! Investing in the numerous AWS standards seems to be a large expense when it comes to welding new product.

 

[gtaw]

Knowledge is never inexpensive. The lack of knowledge can be much more expensive. What is the cost associated with an in-service failure where someone is injured or where there is a loss of production because of a key piece of equipment failing while in operation?

The component you provide may seem to be inconsequential, but what happens down stream when it fails? What is your employer's liability?

Best regards - Al

 

[fzjames82]

I am fully aware of those situations. I suppose the thing that creates the most havoc is not having a clear cut defined path to take. AWS D14.1 refers to AWS D1.1. They both refer to AWS A2.4, A3.0, A5.0, A5.18, B2.1, B4.0, and the list goes on. It’s a intertwining maze of information that makes it difficult to feel certain you are making a solid decision in regards to any product. Maybe we should just hire a welding engineer! haha

 

[metengr]

Not a bad idea.

 

[dhengr]

Fzjames82:
We had some really really strange methods of learning and doing things before the advent of Google and the internet. We actually talking with our materials suppliers who were more than willing to help us use their materials and equipment properly and to our best advantage. They had a vested interest in giving us good advice and seeing us succeed. They hoped to continue selling their products, unlike the internet’s everyone is entitled to an opinion. And, we listened to their competitors too. If three out of four of them said the same thing, it was likely to be in the right ballpark. Sometimes we used a thing called a telephone, we actually had to push buttons to dial a number, but we got a real live person who knew what the hell he was talking about. We didn’t have to listen to 15 choices and then try to remember if #7 or #13 best fit our needs for further info. from a recorded non-meaningful message. Sometimes we actually talked with these people face to face, believe it or not, and they took us to lunch to promote their wares, and we actually talked about business, and other things. We developed helpful relationships. Then, we also talked to our clients and customers and they showed us what specs. and welding WPS they preferred. We have become so code and std. dependant that we have lost all sense of actual common knowledge of our professions. If it ain’t covered by an explicit paragraph in one of the hundreds of our codes, for many thousands of dollars, it just can’t be done, no matter how well it works and the quality of our results. We always spec’ed. vanadium alloying, and paid a slight premium for this, but it resulted in better final material properties, weld quality, product, etc. Columbium alloying was a bit less expensive, but dirtier and tougher to deal with. I would have to think a bit longer about all of the details on A572-Gr.50, and maybe this has changed and improved over the years.