Welding is a process used in a diverse range of industries, be it aerospace, automotive, railroad, or our household products industry. One such industry that highly relies on the perfection of welding processes is the shipbuilding industry. Welding is by far the most effective method used by professionals to build these incredibly huge structures.
Years of experience and research along with the advancements in welding technology have enabled us to build perfectly watertight and oil-tight ship structures. It is impossible for these structures to function efficiently and more importantly, safely without the proper use of welding materials and techniques.
While a welder can replace the process of welding joints in a ship by riveting them, the latter process causes expenses in the initial stage and also requires timely maintenance. On the other hand, welded joints have shown to reduce steel weight and require minimal to absolutely no maintenance.
Now that we know welding is better than the rest when it comes to the building of ships, let us understand how it can be incorporated into the ship’s design. Depending on the structure of the ship, the process of welding is selected. The versatility that welding allows to reduce the excessive use of welding materials and provides a cost and time-effective solution. The commonly used techniques in shipyards are: shielded metal arc welding which is done by welding electrodes or welding rods, gas metal arc welding and resistance welding.
Shielded metal arc welding is used in the fabrication of panels, grillages, tank units, etc. This method’s positional flexibility makes it the only process used to weld the underside of overhead deck plates. Gas metal arc welding is used to weld comparatively light structures. The entire structure of the ship is built with a combination of these welding techniques.
As a whole, welding practices are used for two purposes at the primary stage in the shipbuilding industry:
A. Multiple passes welding- This is used to fill the gaps between two welded plates of high thicknesses (usually more than 5mm to 6mm). A number of welding passes are required between two plates to achieve complete penetration.
B. Tack welding- To prevent plates from opening apart due to heat gradients during the main welding pass, the tack welding method is used. Tack welding is done at regular intervals along the length of the weld joint to keep the plates in position.
With welding hidden in every corner of the ship, it’s obvious that it is one of the integral processes of shipbuilding. Not surprisingly, researchers are on a constant hunt to improve weld quality and predict the nature of weld distortions. You’d wonder why the researchers are investing their time in studying distortions. Well, by predicting this, their aim is to introduce such welding materials and methods that eliminate the need to rectify welding induced stresses on structures. This shows that there is indeed a vast scope of research which makes welding quite an interesting topic in shipbuilding. Even Classification Societies have laid down in-depth norms on not only the methods of welding to be used but also on the standard of electrodes to be used for each type of joint.
We hope with this, the next time you step on a ship you are aware of the hundreds of joints that have been welded together to build it, and that would mean we have served our purpose here!
.jpg)
22 December 2024 | Welding
An In-Depth Exploration of Low-Alloy Steel: Your Comprehensive Guide
22 December 2024 | Welding
Six-lane expressway of Mumbai-trans-harbour-link (MTHL) connecting Sewri on Mumbai Island
22 December 2024 | Welding
Nagpur - Bori - Tuljapur Road MSH-3 in Yavatmal District (Maharashtra)
22 December 2024 | Welding
Guidelines to Understand Gas Welding: Applications, Advantages & Disadvantages
22 December 2024 | Welding
3 Tips for Finding the Best Mild Steel Electrode for Your Application
22 December 2024 | Welding
Ways To Prevent Weld Defects When Working With Different Materials
22 December 2024 | Welding
How to Select the Right Welding Filler Wires for Stainless Steel Welding?
22 December 2024 | Welding
SMAW: Guidelines, Advice, and Troubleshooting Tips for Beginners
22 December 2024 | Welding
Building the Narendra Modi Stadium with Norma V and Autotherme-1 Electrodes
22 December 2024 | Welding
Low Alloy Steel Welding in a (PEB) Pre Engineered Building Structure
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
22 December 2024 | Welding
Welding Rods: Different Types and Tips for Properly Storing and Handling
.jpg)
22 December 2024 | Welding
Tips for Flawless Welds with Stainless Steel Electrodes: Pros and Cons
22 December 2024 | Welding
Exploring Applications and Benefits of Stainless Steel Welding Electrodes
22 December 2024 | Welding
Understanding the Types of Welding Wires and Their Applications
22 December 2024 | Welding
Mastering Stick Welding: 5 Expert Tips for Perfect SMAW Technique
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
22 December 2024 | Welding
Welding Basics: Joining Metals with Heat and Pressure - A Beginners Guide
22 December 2024 | Welding
Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link (MTHL): Bridging Mumbai and Navi Mumbai
22 December 2024 | Welding
Forehand vs. Backhand Welding Techniques: Choosing the Right Method
22 December 2024 | Welding
Creep-Resistant Steels: Heat Treatment Excellence by D&H Secheron.webp)
22 December 2024 | Welding
Welding Innovations to Improve Manufacturing Productivity & Quality.jpg)
22 December 2024 | Welding
Implementation of 96.3 CBM Sarambala medium irrigation scheme at Sawantwadi in Sindhudurg.jpg)
.webp)
22 December 2024 | Welding
Key Considerations When Choosing the Correct Gas for MIG Welding.jpg)
22 December 2024 | Welding
What are Nickel Electrodes? Exploring Varieties and Applications with Real-world Examples
22 December 2024 | Welding
Exploring the World of Welding Consumables: Types and Applications
22 December 2024 | Welding
Distinguishing Low-Alloy Steel from High-Alloy Steel: Understanding the Variations
22 December 2024 | Welding
Hard Facing Wire - Understanding the Process and Achieving Optimal Result
22 December 2024 | Welding
Exploring the Advantages of Stainless Steel Electrodes in Welding Applications
22 December 2024 | Welding
Advantages of SAW Welding: Efficiency, Quality, and Cost Savings
22 December 2024 | Welding
Weathering Steel vs. Traditional Steel: A Comparative Analysis of Performance
22 December 2024 | Welding
What Is Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)? The Beginner's Guide
22 December 2024 | Welding
Choosing the Right Welding Rod: Why 6013 Electrodes Might Be Your Ideal Option
22 December 2024 | Welding
Selecting the Right Hardfacing Electrode: A Decision-Making Guide
22 December 2024 | Welding
Innovations in Stainless Steel Welding: Emerging Trends and Technologies for Enhanced Productivity
22 December 2024 | Welding
Why 7018 Electrodes Are Preferred for High-Strength Welds in Pipeline Construction
22 December 2024 | Welding
Filler Wire vs. Stainless Steel Filler Wire: Understanding the Key Differences
22 December 2024 | Welding
What are Mild Steel Electrodes? A Detailed Explanation of Different Types with Examples
