Written by guest blogger David H.
Having worked in shipyards for seven years, I’m familiar with how dirty this type of job site can be. Ship repair worksites and welding surfaces are often filthy with rust, dust and other contaminants. Even in shops and yards where fabrication is ongoing, cleanliness is often lacking. If fabricated or refurbished pieces are being installed onboard, the surface to which the piece will be welded could be rusty, coated with scale, or have other types of corrosion.
It is hard to overstate the importance of having a clean surface when welding. Welds made on unclean surfaces can become contaminated and fail; this is especially true with certain metals, such as aluminum, and certain types of welding, such as TIG, but for all welds at least some level of cleanliness is important.
Methods and Equipment
There are numerous methods available for cleaning surfaces. The most basic are simple wire brushes and scrapers; these are ineffective beyond removing common dirt and simple surface contamination. Some hand-held tools, such as grinders and reciprocating needles are slightly more effective.
A surface that is properly prepared by blast cleaning can help you ensure fewer problems with weld quality.
Enhancing cleaning protocols is critical for achieving high-quality welds, especially in scenarios where a faulty weld could incur significant expenses or pose shipboard dangers for the crew. When dealing with corroded or contaminated surfaces, a more heavy duty approach becomes imperative. Among the top-tier solutions is blast cleaning equipment, available for rental, lease and purchase at Red-D-Arc.
Dry-ice systems offer a non-destructive alternative, utilizing cost-effective dry-ice pellets. Recycled glass systems, which reduce dust by as much as 95% compared to dry-blasting, are available as well.
Browse through our selection of blast cleaning equipment capable of tackling the dirtiest weld surface. A surface that is properly prepared by blast cleaning can help you ensure fewer problems with weld quality.
Contact us today to learn more!
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