PIPE WELDING

Welding pipe is like welding any other structural shape and welding can take place
in any of the normal positions for welding. When welding pipe flanges and some
joints configurations the weld applied may be a fillet weld. When welding pipe to
pipe the joint is similar to a vee groove and is often open root. Welding pipe to pipe
requires a higher degree of skill and is the topic of this supplement.
The pipe welding positions covered are the 1G flat and rolled position, the 2G
horizontal position, the 5G vertical position and the 6G fixed position as shown
below.

PIPE WELDING EDGE PREPERATION

The pipe coupons for welding are cut using the pipe beveling machine. The slag is
removed and the edges are ground smooth for welding a 1/8 landing or flat is
applied to the pipe. The pictures below show the pipe beveling machine and the
edge preparation.

PIPE ASSEMBLY

The pipe is assembled for welding by placing one piece on top of the other with a
1/8 electrode without flux on it between the pipe.

It is extremely important to set up and tack weld the pipe properly, if the pipe is
not aligned on the inside it is difficult to obtain the proper penetration through the
pipe.
The root gap around the pipe must be consistent. If part of the root gap is too wide
the key hole will open up too much while welding and instead of penetration you
may have burn through (more than 1/8 reinforcement) on the inside. If part of the
root gap is too narrow you may not be able to penetrate through the pipe in those
areas.
At least 4 tack welds should be placed around the pipe at 12 oclock 6 oclock 3
oclock and 9 oclock.
The tacks must be strong enough to hold alignment while welding the root pass
and should penetrate enough to become a part of the root pass. When testing the
tack may be removed using a cutting wheel to get a consistent root weld around
the joint.
The picture below shows the tacks in a flat position pipe.

Chill ring
For some applications a chill ring may be used instead of an open root. The chill
ring works like a backing bar in groove welding and becomes a part of the welded
joint. When the chill ring is used the root opening is determined by the pins on the
chill ring. After tacking the chill ring on the inside of the pipe, the pins are
removed. If a chill ring is used the root pass may be made using E-7018 since it is
not necessary to penetrate through the pipe.

PIPE WELDING IN THE FLAT 1G POSITION

Pipe Welding in the flat position requires that the Welder make some adjustments
to the normal angles and length of the welds during welding. In the flat position
with the pipe being rolled or rotated the push travel angle works best. Shorter
lengths of weld are used so that you do not change your travel angle by stretching
out of position. The pipe is then rotated before continuing. Stringer beads are used
to weld the root, fill passes and cover pass on six inch schedule 80 pipe.

Technique for welding the 1 G Rolled Pipe

The root pass is made using the E-6010 Electrode to penetrate through the open
root pipe. Make sure the amperage (heat) is set correctly to open and maintain the
keyhole where the root is s good fit. Use scrap metal and weld in the flat position
with the amperage on approximately 100 and adjust the heat as necessary.
The root pass should be flat to convex in appearance on the groove side of the pipe
with no holes and should be flush to 1/8 maximum reinforcement on the inside of
the pipe.

After completing the root pass and evaluating the penetration, grind the groove
side of the weld in preparation for the fill passes.
Set the amperage for the E-7018 1/8 Electrode at approximately 120-150 amps to
weld the fill passes and the cover passes. Use the stringer bead technique for
welding the fill passes and cover passes.

PIPE WELDING IN THE 2G HORIZONTAL POSITION

When welding in the 2g pipe position the pipe is vertical and the weld is horizontal.
The pipe is not moved during welding and the welder must move around the fixed
position pipe. The preparation and amperage setting should be the same as for the
flat position pipe with E-6010 Electrodes used for the root and E-7018 Electrodes
used for the fill and cover passes. It is important to layer the fill passes and cover
passes from the bottom pipe up to the top pipe, while keeping the weld beads
straight and properly overlapped.

PIPE WELDING IN THE VERTICAL 5G POSITION

In the 5G pipe position the pipe is horizontal and the weld axis is vertical so that
the welding is essentially a vertical weld. When welding some pipes for low
pressure applications or small diameter pipe it may be acceptable to weld vertical
downward with an electrodes like the E6010 however; most pipes are welded
vertical upward with an E-6010 root pass and E-7018 fill and cap.
When welding in the 5G pipe position the weld beads may be either stringers or
weaves depending on the job requirements.
At the Delta School Of Trades we use the E-6010 electrode for the open root pass
and E-7018 for the fill and cover passes using the vertical upward weave technique.

TECHNIQUE FOR VERTICAL 5G PIPE WELDING

AS always make sure the correct amperage is set for tacking the pieces and the
root pass using E-6010 electrodes. Check the machine setting and use an amperage
from 90-110.
Use E-7018 for the fill passes and cover pass set at approximately 120-150 Amps.
Use a slight U shape technique with the E-6010 electrode to open and maintain the
keyhole. It may be necessary to ride up very slightly on the inside edge of the
groove to chill the keyhole if it opens up too much. If the keyhole is too tight, slow
down and force it open with the electrode while welding or stop and increase the
amperage (heat).
Use a Z motion weave with the E-7018 Electrode keeping the ripples close together
and the weld profile flat for the fill and cover passes.

VERTICAL UPWARD WEAVES FOR 5G PIPE

Stringer Weaves may also be used to weld the fill passes and cover passes. This is
an important technique to learn in preparation for welding in the 6G position

PIPE WELDING IN THE 6G FIXED POSITION

In the 6G Pipe welding position the pipe is set on a 45 degree inclined angle. The
weld in this position covers all position welding because the bottom of the pipe is
an overhead weld; the top of the pipe is a flat weld and the front and back sides
are a vertical upward weld. The pipe is welded using stringer beads except that a
slight weave motion must be used to prevent the sides or vertical upward part
from sagging and lumping up in the middle of the weld bead.

The Electrode angle should remain the same for all passes. Use a slight push angle
from bottom to top.

CRITICAL ELEMENTS FOR WELDING THE 6G FIXED PIPE

As for all pipe welding take the time to set up the pipe properly with a consistent
root gap and 4 evenly spaced tacks.
Make sure you have set the correct amperage for the electrode type and size as
mentioned earlier.
After running the root, grind the root pass lightly before starting with the E-7018
Electrode.
Remember to use a slight weave motion with the E-7018 to prevent the weld
lumping in the middle and to get proper fusion.
Each filler pass should overlap the prior pass without leaving a depression (called
wagon tracks) and should show good fusion.

The 6G pipe position is the one used extensively for testing, since it qualifies the
welder for all position welding of pipe, grooves, and fillets.
When testing; it is advisable to remove the tacks instead of weld over them to
ensure penetration at the root. A wire wheel brush and grinder may be used to
keep each pass clean and prevent slag inclusions.

Although there are many Codes and Standards that govern the welding and testing
of Pipe, the one most widely used and recommended at the school is the AWS D1.1
Structural Welding Code.
The test for SMAW is usually a 6 inch schedule 80 pipe with an open root, and is
welded in the 6G position. This test qualifies the welder for welding fillets grooves
and pipe in all positions. Also qualifies the welder for pipe sizes from 4 inches to
unlimited and wall thickness from 3/16 inch to unlimited.
An optional SMAW test on 4 inch schedule 40 pipe in the 6G position qualifies the
welder for all positions welding and pipe sizes from 3/4 to 4 inch with wall

thickness from 1/8 to 3/4.

The pipe size recommended for GTAW Certification is the 4 inch sch 40 pipe.