Introduction
This is historical research that will expound on the history of underwater welding. The research goes in-depth to analyze the various examples of underwater welding, the defects associated with underwater welding, and the possible remedies. The study also outlines the milestones in the advancements in underwater welding. The factors which facilitated the invention and the improvements are looked at in detail.
Welding involves joining two or more metals together under the application of heat. The metals are joined in the molten state or by application of a melted intermediate (Kaushish J.P., 2010). The required temperature is often provided either with electrodes or hot gasses. Underwater welding, therefore, is the joining of metals under the water or in an environment surrounded by water (Welding Institute, Great Britain. Dept. of Energy, Society for Underwater Technology, 2009). Underwater welding comes around with a number of difficulties just like welding in space and high radiation areas.
Therefore, specialized equipment and techniques must be applied to carry out the welding tasks. A number of difficulties are associated with underwater welding especially with wet shielded metal arc welding (Messler, 2013). However, underwater welds exhibit a higher hardness than open-air welds due to the rapid quenching caused by the surrounding water. The underwater welds are also characterized by increased porosity and other associated defects and increased vulnerability to hydrogen-induced cracking (Nixon, 2000). Underwater welds exhibit inferior mechanical properties of ductility compared to welds made in the air.
The advancement of underwater welding was necessitated by the oil and petroleum industry. Erection of offshore oil rigs provided a challenge to the welders, a factor that required research on the same (Kathleen, 2010). During World War 1, bare wire electrodes coated with waterproofing varnish were used. The harsh underwater environment of extremely low temperature and relatively high pressures and high risks of electricity leakage were some of the challenges which facilitated the research advancements (Nixon, 2000). In 1960’s, Taylor diving invented the underwater welding and submersible pipe alignment rig. The invention promoted hyperbaric welding. Hyperbaric welding involves welding in a dry atmosphere under pressure. The invention of the hyperbaric welding process facilitated the innovation in pipelining success in the North Sea (Zhou, 2013).
Before the invention of underwater welding, the underwater repairs had been mechanical. The divers used hydraulic tools to bolt the flanges together. However, the welded joints proved stronger than the mechanical joints, a condition that led to the massive research in the field (Kathleen, 2010). After the Taylor diving’s invention, engineers designed the gas system to provide an environment consisting of nitrogen around the weld. In the present technology, a remote vehicle inspection is available to run the welding and inspection procedures. The first trial of a remote inspection was done between 1981 and 1982. Before the advent of the remote inspection vehicles, engineers could take videos and photos of the welded joints for inspection purposes. The remote vehicles eased the inspection procedures as they could carry light inspection tools to the sites (International Institute of Welding, 2007).
Discussion
The research will present the findings starting with the definition and history of underwater welding, examples, and associated defects. Various conditions under which each type of weld is most appropriate and the possible risks prevention during the procedure will be reviewed as well. I will collect results in the field where I will take trips to the companies specialized in offering the underwater welding services. In the companies, I will take notes on the companies’ journals regarding the history of underwater welding. I will make more reference to the available library resources present in and out of the university. The whole research process will take five working days, eight hours a day with a two-hour lunch break. In the first two days, I will research from the libraries and the internet sources to obtain complete knowledge of underwater welding. In the remaining three days, I will visit three selected companies. The companies most close to my residence will be chosen to minimize financial spending.
Resources
I have an interest in the welding processes and would like to explore the challenges experienced in the field of welding. I chose the underwater welding because the open air welding is not associated with as many challenges. I will apply the theory learned in class to the various challenges and came up with methods to prevent or reduce them. I will borrow most of the information to facilitate the research from the books available in the university library and the internet sources. The journals present in most companies websites that talks on underwater welding will as well be of great help.
Costs
The research is set to consume a minimum of $100. Some of the funds will be used in accessing the various companies’ website resources and in accessing the private libraries present outside the university. Part of the money will be used to pay access to the companies which offer the underwater welding services. The companies will be required to do a laboratory demonstration of the various methods available. After the demonstrations, mechanical tests will be done on the welds. The amount of money required will be calculated after the permission is sought from the companies since various companies charge different rates.
Conclusion
The field of underwater welding is still an evolving subject. Researchers work on a daily basis to get the various ways of applying the most current technology to the weld formation. The welders are presented with many challenges as they must first learn diving skills before embarking on the underwater welding operations (International Institute of Welding, 2007).
References
International Institute of Welding. (2007). Underwater welding. New York: Pergamon Press.
Kathleen, M. (2010). Metals Handbook: Welding, brazing, and soldering 9th ed. New Nork: American Society for Metals.
Kaushish J.P. (2010). MANUFACTURING PROCESSES 2nd ed. New Delhi: PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd.
Messler, W. S. (2013). Joining of Advanced Materials. New York: Elsevier.
Nixon, J. H. (2000). Underwater Repair Technology. New York: Gulf Professional Publishing.
United States. Dept. of the Navy. Supervisor of Salvage, Battelle Memorial Institute. Columbus Laboratories, Marine Technology Society. (2009). Underwater welding, cutting, and hand tools: proceedings. New York: Marine Technology Society, 1969.
Welding Institute, Great Britain. Dept. of Energy, Society for Underwater Technology. (2009). Underwater welding for offshore installations. New York: Welding Institute, 1977.
Zhou, Y. (2013). Weld Quality: The Role of Computers: Proceedings of the International Conference on Improved Weldment Control with Special Reference to Computer Technology Held in Vienna, Austria, 4–5 July 1988 under the Auspices of the International Institute of Welding. Vienna: Elsevier.