Different methods of welding for ship plate

TAGS: welding | plates |

Welding is an important process in shipbuilding industry as it ensures the structural integrity and safety of the vessel. Ship plates, being an important component of the ship’s structure are welded together using various techniques. Here are some of the most commonly used welding methods for ship plates:

1. Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW): SMAW or stick welding is one of the most conventional and widely used methods for welding of ship plates. This process involves an electrode coated with flux, that provides a shielding gas around the weld puddle for protection against atmospheric gases. Due to its simplicity and versatility, SMAW can be used for welding of all types of ship plates.

2. Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW): Also known as MIG welding, GMAW is used for welding of ship plates of various thicknesses. In this process, an electric arc is created between the workpiece and a consumable wire electrode, which heats up the plates and fuses them together. A shielding gas is also used to protect the weld from external environmental factors.

3. Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW): FCAW is similar to GMAW, but instead of a solid wire electrode, flux-cored electrode wire is employed for welding. This technique is highly efficient and can be used for welding of thick plates in a single pass.

4. Submerged Arc Welding (SAW): SAW involves the use of a granulated flux and a continuously-fed wire electrode. The weld is made under a blanket of powdered flux to protect against atmospheric gases. SAW can be used for welding of thick plates and due to its high efficiency, it is commonly used for welding of large ship components such as hull-plates.

there are various welding methods available for welding of ship plates. The selection of a suitable method largely depends on the type of material being welded, the thickness of the plates, and the specific shipbuilding application.