E7018 Code Date Question 4

[qaalien]

In the Summer 1979 Addeda to the 1977 ASME Code Edition the Mn requirement for E7018 filler metal was changed from 1.25% to 1.60% max. My question is, has there been any code cases issued to allow the use of the newer filler metal to be used on code work prior to the change. The major filler metal manufacturer we work with will not make this filler metal to the older requirement.

 

[metengr]

qaalien;
Why would this requirement be necessary?

 

[qaalien]

Metengr, Thanks for the prompt reply.

Our customer required that all materials used be reviewd to the original code date. I do not know of any place in Sec. III that allows you to use a newer code dated filler metal.

 

[metengr]

qaalien;
It has been a while for me regarding nuclear weld repairs. The NBIC does address an NR program for weld repairs to pressure retaining items based on ASME Section XI requirements.

I would go back and ask the customer the reason for having to limit the use of materials (including weld rod) to a specific edition and addendum of the ASME Code. I can see from a design basis for calculations using the edition and addendum for replacing components, but for weld repair to existing items, that just doesn't make sense to me. Even if you were required to use the material specified by the Edition and addendum, what about obsolete materials? There has to be some allowance to upgrade obsolete materials in the nuclear world. Although, I could be off base because my world has been fossil-oriented for the last 12 years.

 

[stanweld]

From recent experience and chemical testing, most if not all E7018 that we have purchased in the past several years meet the old 1.25% Mn requirements. You should be able to find a manufacturer that will be willing to comply with your requirements.

 

[qaalien]

Maybe I should clarify the situation. This filler metal is used for repair welding castings for replacement valves and valve parts. We do not have an ASME stamp for fabrication.

 

[metengr]

Are these castings new castings for replacement valves and parts or have they been in service and are being refurbished?

 

[qaalien]

These are new castings. I can only find one manufactuer with an ASME Certificate that makes E7018 filler metal.

 

[GRoberts]

Our ASME auditor, and several of our ASME Section III customers have told us that procuring material to older editions of the code is not required. However, we used to do it the way you are describing, and some of our customers still do. We also used to run into the same problem with the Mn requirement. We got Lincoln 7018N-MR to fit the bill. It was certified to the current ASME code, but we ordered it to the requiremetns and reviewed it against the old one.

 

[GenB]

qaalien,
there mustr be suppliers and/or shops who will still have stock of that material, I may know a shop who amazingly may have and is still using pails of rods from the WWII. Shop around.
You mentioned that you found only one mfr w/ASME cert. who makes the rod! The rod is made by a Mfr to the AWS/ASME specifications and is not required to have a certificate.
Lincoln, Essab, Hobart Bros, and all others make welding prods. no Cert.
genb