U.S. Navy Trials for New Underwater Aluminum-Welding Process Spearheaded by Lincoln Elect...

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02 May 2013

U.S. Navy Trials for New Underwater Aluminum-Welding Process Spearheaded by Lincoln Electric Equipment and Consumables

Welder-divers use Lincoln welding machine, wire feeder and wire for GMAW in hyperbaric chamber 24 feet underwater


Welder-diver uses a Lincoln welding machine, wire feeder and wire for GMAW in a hyperbaric chamber 24 feet underwater.

(click photo for high-res image)
Cleveland – With aluminum-hulled ships entering U.S. Navy service, the race is on to develop a process for underwater repairs at sea as an alternative to costly and time-consuming drydocking. Phoenix International, the Navy’s Diving Services contractor, is performing AL-welding tests in a hyperbaric chamber at Bayou Vista, La., on behalf of the Navy. The project has a huge assist from equipment and consumables supplied by the Lincoln Electric Company and backed by Lincoln Electric technical support.
 
The first-of-its-kind GMAW procedure has passed mechanical testing and now awaits further lab results prior to earning official Navy approval. Ultimately, the Phoenix International procedures must pass three hyperbaric aluminum-weld tests: 5083 alloy welded to itself; 5083 alloy welded to a 6000-series alloy; and a 6000-series alloy welded to another 6000-series. The process and procedures have been carefully selected for easy repeatability anywhere in the world.
 
Lincoln Electric has worked closely with Phoenix International throughout the project, supplying a Power Wave® S350 welder and Power Feed® 25M wire feeder, as well as Lincoln Electric SuperGlaze® 5556 3/64-in. diameter wire. The Power Wave welder and Power Feed feeder are located above the surface of the water on land, connected to a push-pull welding gun with 50-foot gun cable located 24 feet underwater in the hyperbaric chamber.
 
For more information on the welding equipment used in this groundbreaking project, visit www.lincolnelectric.com.
 
The Lincoln Electric Company, headquartered in Cleveland, OH, is the world leader in the design, development and manufacture of arc welding products, robotic arc welding systems, fume control systems, plasma and oxyfuel cutting equipment and has a leading global position in the brazing and soldering alloys market.
 
Attn: Magazine Staff — Please send prospect lead inquiries only to Lincoln Electric c/o Ultimate Lead Systems, Inc., P.O. 739 Berea, OH 44017 or via email to lincoln@ultlead.com.

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