B-3® alloy Welding Data

 

Typical Welding Parameters – Flat Position:

SMAW Electrode Diameter Arc Voltage Welding Current
in mm volts amps
3/32 2.4 22-24 55-75
1/8 3.2 22-24 80-100
5/32 4.0 22-25 125-150
3/16 4.8 24-26 150-180

POLARITY: SMAW-DCRP-Electrode Positive

GTAW Joint Thickness Tungsten Electrode Diameter Filler Wire Diameter Welding Current Arc Voltage
in mm in mm in amps volts
1/32-1/16 0.8-1.6 1/16 1.6 1/16 15-60 9-12
1/16-1/8 1.6-3.2 1/16 or 3/32 1.6 or 2.4 1/16 or 3/32 50-95 9-12
1/8-1/4 3.2-6.4 3/32 or 1/8 2.4 or 3.2 3/32 or 1/8 75-130 10-13
>1/4 6.4 3/32 or 1/8 2.4 or 3.2 3/32 or 1/8 95-150 10-13

*2% Thoriated tungsten
Shielding gas 100% argon, flow rate ~ 25 ft3/h (12 L/min)
POLARITY: GTAW-DCSP-Electrode Negative

GMAW - Wire Diameter Shielding* Gas Welding Current Arc Voltage Travel Speed
- in mm - amps volts in/min mm/min
Short Arc 0.035 0.9 2,3,4,5 70-90 18-20 8-10 200-250
0.045 1.1 2,3,4,5 100-150 19-22 8-10 200-250
Fixed Pulse 0.045 1.1 2,3,4 120-150 18-20 10-15 250-380
- - - Peak 250-300 - - -
Variable Pulse (syngeric) 0.035 0.9 2,3,4 50-125 - 10-15 250-380
0.045 1.1 - 100-175 - 10-15 250-380
Spray 0.045 1.1 1,3 190-250 30-32 10-15 250-380

Flow Rate ~ 35 ft3/hr (16 L/min)
POLARITY: GMAW-DCRP-Electrode Positive

*Acceptable GMAW Shielding Gases
# Composition Tradename
1 100% argon -
2 75% argon + 25% helium -
3 89% argon + 10.5% helium + 0.5% CO2 NiCoBRITE™
4 66.1% argon + 33% helium + 0.9% CO2 Helistar™ SS
5 90% helium + 7.5% argon + 2.5% CO2 Helistar A-1025

*Not necessarily in order of preference

Typical All Weld Metal Tensile Data*

Welding Process Test Temperature 0.2% Offset Yield Strength Ultimate Tensile Strength Elongation
- °F °C ksi MPa ksi MPa %
GTAW RT 80 515 118 813 45
GMAW** RT 78 537 121 834 46
SMAW RT 69 475 112 772 49
GTAW 500 260 68 469 103 710 40
GTAW 1000 538 66 455 100 689 45

*1/2 in. (12.7 mm) thick, ** Short arc mode
RT= Room Temperature

Typical Weld Metal V-Notch Impact Strength (Room Temperature)

Typical Weld Metal V-Notch Impact Strength (Room Temperature)
GTAW 165 ft-lb 224 J
SMAW 86 ft-lb 118 J
GMAW 140 ft-lb 191 J
Density (Room Temperature) 0.333 lb/in3 9.22 gm/cm3

Suggested Practice:

•Establish safe working conditions prior to the start of welding. Areas to consider should include protection of personnel, ventilation, and welding in confined spaces. The recommendations of the American National Standard ANSI/ASC Z49.1, “Safety in Welding and Cutting”, should be followed.

•The welding surface and adjacent area on each side of the joint should be thoroughly cleaned and degreased prior to welding.

•Oxy-acetylene welding and cutting are not recommended.

•Covered electrodes used from an unopened can require no further drying. Unused electrodes should be stored in a temperature controlled oven held in the range 250-400°F (121-200°C).

•Backing gas (100% argon) should always be used for the root pass when welding by either GTAW or GMAW. For SMAW, grinding of the back side of the root pass is necessary.

•For optimum corrosion resistance of the finished weldment, excessive heat input should be avoided by:

– minimizing weave bead techniques (i.e. use ‘stringer’ beads with some manipulation).

– avoiding slow travel speeds, especially on thin parts.

– controlling interpass temperatures, generally 200°F (93°C) or less.

•For GTAW, a constant-current power supply equipped with a high frequency start and down slope control is recommended. Torches with gas diffuser lenses provide the optimum gas coverage.

•Post-weld stress relieving in the 1200°F (650°C) range is not recommended for HASTELLOY® C-276 alloy. If required, solution heat-treatment of this material is accomplished at 2050°F (1121°C) for an appropriate time followed by a water quench or rapid air cool (depending on section thickness).

•If shielding gases containing CO2 are used during GMAW welding, grinding of the weld bead between each pass is recommended.

•Water cooled torches are recommended for GMAW spray transfer and synergic transfer (above 120 amps) modes.