Intro To Gas Welding
Intro To Gas Welding
Intro To Gas Welding
BACKGROUND
Oxyacetylene gas welding involves the use of highly flammable and potentially
explosive gases.
SAFETY.
1) Cylinders
o Acetylene cylinders: They are short and wide. Colour coding is
brown/maroon
o Oxygen cylinder: They are long. Color coding is black
2) Hose pipes, back fire arrestors, regulators, gas welding torch
3) Tools such as adjustable wrench, spindle key, gas lighter, wire brush, tongs
ACETYLENE WELDING TIPS
1) Inclusion
Causes
o Joint design faulty
o Insufficient nozzle size
o Too large filler rod
Remedy
o Check root gap, root face
2) Poor appearance
Causes
o Flame too large or too small
o Incorrect use of filler rod
o Incorrect flame setting
Remedy
o Check procedure, slope and tilt angles
o Readjust flame
o Clean nozzle
3) Undercut
Causes
o Nozzle too large
o Incorrect manipulation
Remedy
o Check torch angles
Remedy
o Preset work
o Use alternate welding technique
BRAZING
In non-fusion welding only the filler rod melts and bonds it-self on the unmelted
base metal.
Brazing very often is done using brass filler rods alongside a special powder flux
which acts as the cleaning agent.
During brazing, heat is applied to the joint area and the molten brass filler rod
will flow through the joint by capillary attraction. (Capillary attraction is the force
that enables a liquid flow through a narrow gap). Therefore brazing does not
occur if the gap between the joint is big.
PROCEDURE:
Contaminants on the metal surface can inhibit the capillary process for the filler
metal. This will reduce the strength of the joint being brazed. Chemical and
mechanical cleaning processes can be used.
a) Chemical
petroleum spray
chlorinated solvents
b) Mechanical
The two metals being joined need to have a close and optimal fit in order for
the capillary action of the brazing alloy filler metal to be drawn in. An engineer
will anticipate the right amount of fit in order to maximize strength.
Properly secure work pieces in position using magnets and tack them in their
proper positions before brazing.
o Apply flux
Flux helps with oxidation problems caused by oxygen in the air and gas. Too
much oxidation will interfere with the capillary effect of the filler alloy.
o Brazing
The brazing method selected depends on the type and size of the job to be
performed. For smaller jobs oxy-acetylene torch brazing is a common approach.
In other types of jobs, the brazing processes such as resistance, induction and
atmosphere furnace brazing can be more efficient. One tip when brazing is to
realize that filler metals attract to the highest temperature surface. Therefore if
you heat directly on the joint surface the brazing alloy may not fill the joint.
Instead, the goal is to heat the interior facing surfaces to the correct
temperature, and by situating the brazing alloy close to the joint to be brazed.
Residues can often be removed with a hot water bath after the filler has
solidified. If this doesn't crack the residue off, try a water jet and wire brush. As a
last resort a mild acid bath. Follow the manufacturer’s directions in order to
avoid acid etching on the brazed metal.
Simplify the types of brazing rods needed by using a versatile product such as
the HTS-2000. It works on all non-ferrous alloys including "all" aluminum alloys
(even the ones that cannot be welded), magnesium aluminum mixtures, zinc,
die cast, pot metal, copper, bronze, Nickel, Titanium and galvanized parts.