Fabrication Welding Processes

Abstract

Abstract The fabrication of marine and offshore structures requires the welding together of individual components such as steel plates or pipe joints. The permanent process of welding has allowed the construction of modern ships, offshore structures, and pipelines to be made possible. This article looks at the different welding processes that are commonly used in the industry today. There are many types of welding processes, but the main ones used for marine construction are shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), gas metal arc welding (GMAW), submerged arc welding (SAW), flux‐cored arc welding (FCAW), and gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW). The advantages and disadvantages of each of these are discussed. Additionally, important welding/welder qualification processes such as welding procedure specification (WPS), procedure qualification record (PQR), welder performance qualification record (WPQR), pipe welding positions, terminology for the position of the weld, and weld quality are also described. It is important to use the correct welding type for the application.