Can I increase the weld size after the weld has been completed?

[homebrewdude]

I have some 1/2" plates there were welded together with 1/4 fillet welds.

I probably should have welded them with 3/8" or 1/2" fillet welds.

Can I put another bead ontop of the initial?

Or is this just not possible.

The material is ASTM A572 Grade 50

 

[metengr]

Yes, you can increase the leg length of the fillet weld to match the thickness of the 1/2" base plate. Make sure the surface is clean, and use the same welding procedure (low hydrogen electrodes) and a certified welder.

 

[homebrewdude]

Thanks...


these are prototypes for testing, so we will give it a go.

 

[MintJulep]

For testing of what?

Are you testing the weld ultimate or fatigue strength?

Unless you plan to produce all parts with a multi-pass weld, the test specimen should be the same as the desired production configuration.