3 Tips To A Successful Purging Process

According to the American Welding Society, more than 500,000 welders are currently employed in the U.S. They use a variety of tools and equipment, ranging from non sparking tools to purge equipment like purge monitors. As one of the more technical and often dangerous jobs, it can be vital to have an understanding of the mechanics of a good weld.

To do this, you have to understand operations such as pipe weld purging systems, how they operate, and what it is they do.

Pipe weld purging systems are the equipment and techniques that work to displace oxygen from a zone prior to welding. Oxygen can cause significant loss of corrosion resistance and a decrease in joint strength. It is important to seal the joint well and to keep the oxygen in the area consistent, which is where a purge monitor comes in.

To do this successfully, keep the following in mind:

Use a Complete System
Do not try to use whatever happens to be around you at the time of the weld. Find systems that use inflatable dams to assist with the removable of inert gases in the pipes, and make sure to have a complete monitoring system in place. There is commercial equipment available that have pre-set abilities to monitor and check gas flow, pressure, and purge gas quality. They’re multi-use and are tough enough to cope with site conditions while still reducing overall purging and welding time greatly.

Do Not Rush
You must wait until all the air has been displaced before welding. For many metals, this means waiting until a residual oxygen level falls below 100 PPM. If this is not followed, it can lead to a rejection of the product, and a production delay.

Do Your Research
Before welding any type of metal, do your research on what oxygen levels are acceptable for that particular piece. Stainless steel is very different than carbon steel, and you must be aware of those differences and what levels of oxygen are acceptable for each.

There are plenty of published works on the subject. Make sure you read them thoroughly.

If you have any questions about the process of purging and what oxygen levels are acceptable for your work, contact us. We’ll be happy to provide you with answers.