UNDERWATER WELDING

Underwater welding is a process whereby metals are melted together

underwater to either repair a structure or create a new structure. Used on oil
wells, ships, and other underwater structures, underwater welding is done by
one of two methods.
The first is hyperbaric welding, in which a structure is created around the weld
and a pressurized environment created also known as dry welding. The second
is arc welding, in which the welding electrode contains a flux coating that
releases gases to preserve the integrity of the weld or also known as wet
welding
For this assignment we will be focusing on both dry and wet welding. Because
of the dangers of shock, explosion and poisoning, underwater welding is only
performed by professionals with both diving and welding certifications. The
correct steps and also its safety precautions must be followed to avoid any
accident.

STEPS TO PERFORM DRY WELDING AND ITS SAFETY

PRECAUTIONS.
1. The joint to be welded first will be cleaned. The type of material uses the
site to be welded was determined and the proper filler or electrode to be
used will be selected.

2.

A chamber
will
be
prepared
around the
area to be
joint
and
eliminate
existences of
water in that
area. Some
chambers are
prepared big
enough to fit
the welders and some are prepared only small enough for the electrode.

3. A gas will be introduced into the chamber and water will be pumped out.
4. The welders that will dive into the weld site with proper safety PPE.

5.

Turn on the

power supply and weld the joint from outside the chambers
6. Make sure to be alert that no water leak into the chamber.
7. Turn off the power supply as the welding is done.

STEPS TO PERFORM WET WELDING AND IRS SAFETY

PRECAUTIONS

1. Investigate and clean the joint to be welded; identify the types of metals
involved.

2.

The
electrode that will be used will be wrap with a tape to act as a coating
from wet conditions in water unless we uses electrode that specialize
design for underwater welding that already being coated.

3. Prepare the adequate electrodes, plan out the order of welding and dive to
the weld site.

4. Weld the joint, ensuring that the flux coating of the weld is coming off as
expected, and that too much hydrogen is not approaching the joint.

5. Turn off the power supply as soon as the welding is done.

6.

There must be two

operators that always

monitoring the gas supply at the top and another operator that control the
knife switch. Always turn off the switch when welding process not
running.