Installation of new pipelines is predicted to grow at a rapid rate over the next twenty years, due in part to the increase use worldwide of combined cycle power generation plant using natural gas and fuel. The need to construct large diameter pipelines over long distances has led to an increased demand to improve the productivity of pipeline girth welding. Hybrid laser-arc welding using fibre laser offers significant potential for pipeline welding. These new lasers have a very small footprint, together with a high overall efficiency, between 20 % and 30 %. Hence they can be considered for use in the field. In this investigation, hybrid laser-arc welding of pipeline root runs was evaluated and it was concluded that acceptable quality root pass welds could be made under a range of welding conditions. Satisfactory laser-arc welds were made at a laser power of 4 kW and a speed of 4 m/min. This welding speed provides a significant increase over typical welding speeds achieved for GMAW root runs (up to 1.5 m/min) and meets the target set in this project for pipeline root welding speed. High quality laser root/tandem GMAW fill welds made at a welding speed of 1.5 m/min showed mechanical properties (hardness and toughness) very close to GMAW root welds made under similar conditions.
Hybrid laser-arc pipeline welding
Welding and Cutting ; 7 , 6 ; 342-345
2008
4 Seiten, 10 Bilder, 8 Quellen
Article (Journal)
English
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