Underwater Welding Concepts


Welding under the water is important to mend under the sea structures that cannot be removed out of the water, such as the support beam of a bridge. Additional skill is involved in this type of welding as the welder has to get used to the underwater setting. There are some ways that underwater welders make this happen, concerning diverse underwater welding styles.

The whole process of welding underwater can be put into the subsequent 3 groups:

Wet Underwater Welding : This procedure takes place when the welder welds in the water without dry protection. The most common type of welding with this circumstance is manual metal arc welding (MMA). Flux-cored arc welding (FCAW) is usually used in Russia while welding underwater.


Coffer Dam Welding -- A steel structure houses the particular underwater welder to ensure they are dry, while being open to the atmosphere to supply these people oxygen. There's a less chance of electric shock when using this kind of welding, which offers an edge to coffer dam welders.

Hyperbaric Welding -- This type of welding resembles Coffer Dam Welding in the fact that it keeps the welder dry. It's distinct however, since it is not open to the atmosphere but rather is only a holding chamber without an opening to allow oxygen in. Instead, it's filled with the gas - commonly helium made up of .5 bar oxygen - to allow the particular welder to inhale and exhale while working.

Just what are the risks?

While working in a wet surroundings there is always the risk of electrical shock. To help steer clear of this the welding equipment is protected to keep the electrical power from the water. When done properly, a welder ought to be safe from the danger of electric shock. The following threat may be the build- up of hydrogen and oxygen pockets. These could become explosive, causing them to be highly dangerous. These are made by the arc in wet welding and cutting. Another risk involved in this type of welding involves nitrogen being introduced in the bloodstream of the welder at higher pressures. Certain safeguards are generally applied to maintain the security of the worker. Stand-by divers are always on the scene when the welder needs supporting surfacing, or has another deadly problem. In addition there are nearby oxygen supply tanks to help the diver whenever they become depleted. The final primary precaution could be the decompression chambers. These are to make sure that a diver doesn't have problems with decompression illness from surfacing prematurely or perhaps right after saturated diving.

Should you be considering a career in underwater welding then you're looking at a fair pay. The hourly salary generally begins around $20 and raises with the risk the particular welder is taking. The further the welding job, the more income the welder can make.