Lincoln LH-D

[cjgrass]

Hello-
There is push to switch from using cellulose (E8010-P1) downhill electrodes for pipe welding on the North Slope of Alaska by one of the owner companies to using low hydrogen electrodes. I understand that Lincoln has what they call a downhill low hydrogen rod LH-D that they claim can be welded vertical down. The client specifies cvn testing per API 1104 21st edition as specified in appendix A that requires 3 sets to be tested, test temp. -50F, required values are 30/25ft/lb. Lincolns literature shows values of 37 - 70ft/lb @-50F butt I am skeptical of any of Lincolns data sheets. I have tested hundreds of the 8010 welds butt never the LH-D. I am wondering if anyone out there has any experience that they could share about the LH-D good or bad as far as passing the PQR testing and weldabilty in the field for x-ray quality welds. And welder qualifications also, nick breaks are a killer, are they for the LH-D as well?
Thank you very much for your time.

 

[chicopee]

"... Lincolns literature shows values of 37 - 70ft-lb @-50F but I am skeptical of any of Lincolns data sheets..." Lincoln has been around for many decades of welding engineering and from what I can tell they are pretty good at it, so I am surprise that you are skeptical of their value.

 

[cjgrass]

As have I chicopee (37 years) and being in the test lab bushiness I have my reasons for the skepticism, i was more interested in if anyone out there has any experience with this electrode.
Thanks again.