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Weld Failure Risk: Things to Ask Your Welder

Admin • Apr 24, 2019

Metal fabrication is a complex process that involves careful bending, shaping, preparing, and welding. When you work with a welder to complete your manufacturing needs, you should understand what constitutes quality welding. After all, many different factors can weaken the integrity of a weld.

If you find that your weld joints aren't holding up as they should, you should consider a few things to discuss with your welder.

Was the Metal Properly Cleaned?

Clean surfaces are essential to a strong weld bond. Any kind of debris, dirt, oxides, or other particles on the metal will disrupt the weld, creating a final weld that is porous and not uniform. Since any porous nature in the weld means pockets of weakness, you want to avoid anything that will result in a porous weld.

Metal must be cleaned and adequately prepared prior to welding to avoid pores. This means grinding or sanding the metal to remove anything on the surface, followed with cleaning with an acetone-based solution to remove the dust left behind as well as any protective coating on the surface of the metal.

Was the Metal Heated Evenly?

You can't weld hot material to cold metal. For a weld to truly bond with the metal on both sides, both of those sides need to be heated evenly. If either side, or even both sides, aren't heated enough, the weld will not properly bond. This leads to a weak final weld that is likely to fail.

Even if both sides of the actual weld location were heated, you may still have problems associated with metal distortion if that heat passes to any area beyond the weld joint. Distorting the metal can actually shift the alignment of the metal at the weld site, creating stress on the weld joint. Stress on the joint increases the risk of cracking in the weld, ultimately leading to weld failure.

Ask your welder about their heating preparations to ensure that both of the metals were adequately heated. He or she should also account for any distortion by ensuring proper joint alignment before starting the weld.

Was the Metal Annealed?

Heat isn't the only temperature-related factor that affects weld quality. Cooling is also important. When the metal is cooled too rapidly, it creates stress that puts pressure on the weld joint internally. This leads to cracks inside the weld.

Your welder should prevent this type of integrity issue by annealing the metal. The weld area will need to be heated again, but to a lower temperature than when it was welded. Then, the metal and the weld should cool gradually on its own to ease any stress caused by the initial heating and cooling cycle.

How Is Oxidation Prevented?

Oxidation can interfere with the bond required for a strong weld. When metal gets hot, as it does during welding, it oxidizes. That natural oxidation disrupts the welding process if not prevented. There are two primary ways that welders prevent oxidation from the welding process.

Gas shielding, using argon gas, creates a barrier that eliminates any oxygen in the weld area. The argon gas is released in the immediate area of the weld to draw oxygen away from that space.

As an alternative, a flux rod can also prevent oxidation. Flux rods contain carbon, and that carbon will bond with the oxygen before the metal can, preventing any oxidation in the weld area.

You should work with skilled welders to ensure strong finished products for your projects. If you have welding tasks that you need to have completed, or you have any questions about the process, contact us at 3-B Welding, LLC.today. We will be happy to help you with your welding needs.

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Mobile Cranes - New Concord, OH - 3-B Welding LLC

Mobile Cranes Offer Versatility and Efficiency for Your Next Project

15 Aug, 2023

Is your company working on a project where you need to lift something that is immensely heavy or especially oversized? Fixed cranes have long been a go-to piece of equipment for construction companies, outdoor warehouses, and many other types of businesses. But what if you need the ability to move the crane around the work site or lift something on rough terrain? Mobile cranes are growing in popularity due to the benefits they can provide. A mobile crane is much smaller than a typical fixed crane but still capable of providing immense lifting power. Learn why opting for a mobile crane rental for your next project might be the right move. Get Started Quickly When you install a fixed crane on a work site, you will often need to clear the entire area in order to ensure it can be put into place without bumping into any other nearby equipment or causing a safety issue for workers. The crane itself will be brought in using other heavy equipment or heavy-duty vehicles. The setup process is deliberate and will take some time. You will still want to follow basic safety protocols with a mobile crane, of course, but the ability to simply drive the crane to exactly where it needs to be can speed things up. A mobile crane can be fixed to the back of a much smaller vehicle, and you can move it around quickly. This will let you start your project faster. Work in Tight Spaces A fixed crane might be too big to have any chance of getting into the right position, but a mobile crane's smaller footprint could be the perfect fit. Mobile cranes are also ideal for rough terrain where it would be dangerous to try and operate a fixed crane. Transport Easily to Job Sites If your construction company or other business needs to regularly use a crane, going with a mobile crane will make transportation between job sites easier. A large, fixed crane will need to keep special considerations in mind like following traffic laws in regards to oversized loads, but a mobile crane that is placed onto the back of a pickup can be driven with fewer concerns. Have Impressive Lifting Power It might be smaller, but it packs a lot of power into that small footprint. It is possible today to get a mobile crane rental capable of lifting a significant amount of weight. You could look into a crane rental that can handle 15, 30 or even 50 tons without issue. Have a Safer Work Environment You will always want to be mindful of any kind of crane while it is in operation. But a mobile crane's smaller footprint means that fewer people on the work site will have to be alert. A mobile crane can be positioned not only to make the lift easier but to make sure it is always out of the way of other equipment and your employees as much as possible. Make the Cost-Effective Choice Mobile cranes cost less than fixed cranes while still getting the job done. A mobile crane rental is a smart financial move if you will only need it every once in a while instead of all the time. The versatility and efficiency mobile cranes provide can help streamline your next project. 3-B Welding, LLC., has served Ohio as a family-owned and-operated business since 2001. We offer mobile crane rentals for those who need a lift to get their next project over the finish line. Our experienced welders and metal workers can provide further assistance for your business as needed. Contact us today to discuss your options.