Welding pipes is a pretty easy task, but if you don’t know what you’re doing, it can become dangerous for both yourself and others. To make sure that doesn’t happen, here are some tips on how to properly weld pipes together.
What Are Welding Pipes?
Welding pipes is a term that describes the process of joining different pieces of pipe together so that they form a single piece.
Welding pipes are also necessary when a weld has to be joined to a steel structure that cannot be penetrated with an electrode. They can quickly require hundreds of feet of pipe, so it is essential to be able to weld together pipe in a reliable manner.
If a pipe weld breaks, fluids can spill, and that will result in a lot of damage and a lot of mess to clean up. Before welding pipes, it is necessary to make sure it is safe to do so.
This is not necessary if there is concrete or other materials between boards of pipe, but if there is ground, there should be wooden forms under the pipe to hold the pipe in place. You can also contact a professional welder to ensure the process is done correctly.
Types Of Welding Pipes
There are three different types of welding hoses; MIG welding, TIG welding, and stick welding.
Stick Welding
Stick welding is the most common type of welding, and it has several different components.
In addition to the rods used to melt the electrode, different fluxes are used to get the best weld. Stick welding has the advantage that it can be done without the use of a power supply, which makes it very easy to use.
However, this also means that the weld will be a little weaker than with a power supply.
MIG Welding
MIG welding is similar to stick welding, but it is quite a bit stronger. It also has the advantage that the weld won’t be quite as flaky, and it will have a flatter profile.
TIG Welding
TIG welding requires a power supply that can provide a constant stream of electricity to the rod tip.
This allows the weld to bond itself to a metal object. With a power supply, it is much easier to make the weld as thick as needed, and it is much easier to match the thickness of the material to be welded.
The process of TIG welding is similar to stick welding, but the metal to be welded must be cleaned and prepped. The process is a bit more complicated, but it also allows for a much stronger weld.
How To Weld Pipes?
Welding pipes can be very dangerous if done improperly, so be careful when welding pipes. Let’s take a brief look at how to weld pipes successfully.
1: Prepare Pipes
Before welding pipes, the first step is to prepare the pipe to be welded.
The pipes to be welded should be cleaned of any loose material, and they should be sanded and cleared of any metal chips. The pipe must also be descaled, which means it needs to be boiled to remove the material in the pipe.
Once the pipe is descaled, it needs to be deburred by filing it. This removes any sharp edges on the pipe.
Once the pipe is prepared, the welds will be much stronger, and the process will be safer for everyone.
2: Preheat Metal
In the next step in how to weld pipes, it is important to preheat the metal that is going to be welded together.
Metal should be heated so that it is soft, and it should be heated until it glows red. This preheating period allows the metal to be welded to be shaped more easily, and it reduces the weld time.
3: Preheat Electrodes
The next thing is how to weld pipes is preheating the electrodes.
While it is possible to weld pipes without preheating the electrodes, it is not recommended. This is because the electrodes are heated with the filler metal, and the filler metal can keep the weld melting.
4: Add Filler Metal
Once the electrodes are preheated, they must be filled with filler metal.
Usually, the electrodes are dipped into a pot of filler metal, and the filler metal is poured onto the electrodes. This adds a very thin layer to the working electrode.
The filler metal can be applied in several different ways; with rods or with a stick gun. The stick gun method should be used for thicker pieces of metal.
However, the rod method is best for thinner pieces of metal.
5: Weld Pipes
The final step in how to weld pipes is to weld the metal together.
The welding process must be conducted very cautiously; if the weld is not done properly, the pipe will not be strong enough, and the heating elements will not work properly. The process of welding pipes is done in several stages.
First, a filler metal is applied around the piece of metal that will be welded. Then, a filler metal is applied at the points where the two pieces of metal will be welded together, and the weld is melted.
Lastly, the weld is cooled, and the weld is adjusted so that it is smooth and has no cracks or creases.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, welding pipes is a very difficult task.
If it is not done properly, it will ruin the pipes, and the pipes will not function properly. Welding pipes require careful planning, and they should be thoroughly researched before attempting to do the job.
When Should You Use A Welding Pipe?
Welding pipes that are being added to an existing structure or for repair or renovation require a properly functioning pipe.
These pipes are often those which carry water, gas, and/or electricity. If a pipe is not repaired or damaged, it could be a hazard for both health reasons and for the structural integrity of the property itself.
Repairing or replacing various pipes in a structure may be required several times throughout a building’s life. When a pipe fails, it may be necessary to install a new pipe.
These pipes may need to be welded with existing pipes and/or connections between pipes. Welding pipes allows you to install a new pipe quickly and efficiently without replacing the entire pipe.
It’s also possible to build a pipe that is stronger simply by welding it to an existing pipe. When welding pipes, two basic types of welding can be implemented: shielded metal arc welding or submerged arc welding.
Each uses a different type of heat input; the shielded metal arc welding or submerged arc welding is the actual heat input for the welding process. This heat input enables the process to burn off the impurities in the metal, and it helps strengthen the weld.
The shielded metal arc welding or submerged arc welding only differs in the means by which the heat input is conducted. The shielded metal arc welding or submerged arc welding is a more controlled process, and it typically results in a cleaner weld.
However, the submerged arc welding itself requires a great deal of heat input, and it’s more difficult to control the heat input than with the shielded metal arc welding. One common application for welding pipes is when a new pipe is added to an existing pipe system.
You can also weld pipes together like a hub and spigot joint. In these types of joints, the pipes are welded together, and there’s no need to solder or braze the joint.
Welding this type of joint typically requires the same process used to create a welded 90° elbow. As with the connections, heating, applying pressure, and adding filler metal is required.
Welding pipes can be quite difficult for many reasons. The primary difficulty comes from the heat input, which can damage the pipe.
Safety Considerations For Welding Pipes
Several safety considerations should be considered.
Firstly, the fumes from the welding process can be hazardous. These fumes can be dangerous, and you must wear the appropriate equipment while working.
Also, the heat received from the welding process can harm you. Gloves, safety glasses, and protective clothing should be worn during the entire welding process.
Also, you must only weld in a well-ventilated area, preferably outdoors. The fumes and heat from the welding process can be hazardous to your health, and you must clean up any mess that is made.
Additionally, you must clean up any debris that may have fallen into the pipe and/or the gallons of debris that typically collects around pipes.
Why Do People Use Welding Pipes Instead Of Other Methods For Joining Two Pieces Together?
There are several reasons that people use welding pipes over other methods for joining two pieces together.
Welding pipes is easier and more efficient. When a pipe needs to be replaced, it becomes necessary to remove the old pipe and replace it with a new one.
Replacing the old pipe, and then re-routing the piping, can be an extremely tedious process. Welding pipes allows you to quickly replace the pipe without having to reinstall the entire pipe system.
This can save a significant amount of time. Another reason that people choose to use welding pipes for joining two pieces of pipe together is that you can install a stronger pipe through an already existing pipe.
Summary
We hope you found these tips helpful. If you need any help with your welding pipes, don’t hesitate to contact us!