What The Heck Is MOBILE PIPE WELDING?

Pipe welding can be of two different types, one is known as pipe welding, and the other is known as pipeline welding. Although they sound the same, they are quite different from each other. To put it in simple terms, pipe welding is a method of placing two pipes together by joining them using welding techniques.

Pipe welding has its methods, such as arc welding, which can include MIG and TIG welding. In most cases, pipe welding is more related to metal pipes usually found in refineries. In contrast, pipeline welding is related to pipes that are used to transport liquids such as oil or water and can also be used to transport gasses.

Moreover, pipe welding jobs usually require a skilled tradesperson with a great deal of experience. These situations are where mobile pipe welding can come in handy, as we provide you with experienced individuals with the criteria to do your job. This way, the task can be performed successfully without any hiccups.

Methods Used For Mobile Pipe Welding

There are various methods used for pipe and pipeline welding, such as;

  1. Gas Metal Arc Welding 

Gas metal arc welding is a method of welding pipes that involves inert and active gasses. This method can be considered one of the most productive methods for pipe welding. However, this means that gas metal arc welding requires a mobile pipe welder to be highly skillful at their craft.

This method is high quality, one of the main reasons the welder needs to have reasonable control over the machinery to drive the skill most clients demand. Moreover, this work usually requires semi-automatic or fully automatic machinery, which is one of the main reasons gas metal arc welding offers a high deposition rate to low fume generation rates.

  1. Shielded Metal Arc Welding 

Shielded metal arc welding is one of the more common and most used pipe welding methods that are used. Shielded metal arc welding for pipes usually means that shielded gas is not needed for welding. Shielded metal arc welding can also be known as flux and stick welding. 

The way shielded metal arc welding works is that metal is welded by melting the electrodes through the heat generator using an electric arc. This makes operating the machinery and the overall process much simpler and more convenient for the welder. However, shielded metal arc welding may not be as productive as other methods because it has low travel speeds.

  1. Tungsten Inert Gas Welding 

Tungsten inert gas welding usually has a low deposition rate, and the equipment can be quite costly. This means that it is much more expensive than other pipe welding methods. 

For these reasons, this method is only sometimes used due to welders or companies trying to save costs on machinery. However, despite the high cost, tungsten inert gas welding can produce very high-quality welds, making it the perfect method to be used in high-precision welding jobs.

  1. Flux-Cored Arc Metal Welding 

Flux-cored arc metal welding has two different types, which can be known as self-shielded flux-cored arc metal welding and gas-shielded flux-cored arc metal welding. Gas shielded flux cored arc metal welding requires semi-automatic machines, which can provide high-quality and productive welding solutions for pipes and pipelines. 

However, one of the air effects of gas-shielded flux-cored arc metal welding methods is that they could be better for windy contusions as the wind can disrupt the swilling gas, leading to porosity defects. The other method that uses self-shielded gas does not face the issue that is mentioned above. However, it does have lower deposition rates which may be less beneficial. 

  1. Submerged Arc Welding 

Submerged arc welding is also one of the most used welding methods, as it offers reasonable deposition rates compared to other pipe welding methods. Moreover, this pipe welding method requires semi-automatic machinery in which the arc is not visible. Not being visible makes tracking challenging, and this is also one of the main reasons qualified tradespeople are required to perform this job.

Mobile Pipe Welding Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

There are many questions people usually have before deciding to get construction done that involves pipe or pipeline welding, such as;

How Long Does It Take To Weld a Pipe?

There are many different things to factor into how long a pipe can take to weld; one of the main factors is the size of the pipe that needs to be welded because if the pipe is of a smaller size, then finishing the task early is possible. 

However, if the pipe is larger, the process can be lengthy. Another significant factor in how long it takes is the skill level of the welder performing the task at hand.

Even a task involving a larger pipe or pipeline can be completed fairly early if the welder is skilled at their craft. However, even a small task can take time if the worker is not exceptionally skilled at their craft.

Is Pipe Welding A Dangerous Task To Perform?

Like any other construction-related task, pipe welding can also be dangerous if the correct precautions are not taken because machinery may be used to conduct the welding. Welding exposes workers to harmful things, such as fumes, dust, and other harmful particles in the air.

Since welders are exposed to potentially harmful amounts of fumes and dangerous heat levels, having the correct safety equipment on is necessary because if these preventive measures are not applied, there can be severe injuries.

Is Pipe Welding Difficult?

Pipe welding can often become much more complex than most people expect, as it requires much more technical skill than other welding methods. Moreover, other things, such as the working conditions, can also be quite difficult as some weather conditions can end up causing problems with the machinery and chances to damage the pipe itself.

Conclusion

If you require professional welding or fabrication services from highly experienced individuals, contact International Mechanical & Welding today!