I am still playing around trying to learn Tig ( and use my Lincoln 175 ). I have gas welded some in the past, but nothing critical, and have braze quite a bit. I am starting to get something that looks like a weld bead now, hence the next question is: How do I test the weld? I do have the information that Dan suggested on the way from Miller, but it has not arrived yet. Also, I am not sure if it addresses weld testing.
In the past when I have brazed something that I deem critical ( failure = someone hurt, or lots $$$ in damage ) I have tested it as follows. I brazed up a sample joint. I then cut it apart and made sure that the base metal was totally enclosed in the braze. In other words, there was no base metal to base metal contact, instead there was a 5 to 10 thousands gap that was total filled with the braze material. I then beat the joint apart ensuring that the joint failure was due to a base metal failure, or braze failure depending upon the materials involved, as opposed to the base metal/braze bond. This might not be correct, but at least it made me feel better.
As for that attached sample weld, after the picture ( comments? ) I cut it into 1” strips. Since it was welded from one side only, I check each strip for penetration. Except for the beginning and end section, I had 50% to 60% penetration. On the end sections I had only about 30% penetration. I then beat each strip against the weld to failure. That is I folded the joint on to the weld. In all but the beginning and end section, the failure was a tear out of the base metal. In the beginning and end section, the failure was a tear out of the weld fillet/base metal bond. Am I OK, or am I in left field?
Self-taught, and not knowledgeable, yet. Willing to learn, all comments welcome.
Thx’s, FAB
In the past when I have brazed something that I deem critical ( failure = someone hurt, or lots $$$ in damage ) I have tested it as follows. I brazed up a sample joint. I then cut it apart and made sure that the base metal was totally enclosed in the braze. In other words, there was no base metal to base metal contact, instead there was a 5 to 10 thousands gap that was total filled with the braze material. I then beat the joint apart ensuring that the joint failure was due to a base metal failure, or braze failure depending upon the materials involved, as opposed to the base metal/braze bond. This might not be correct, but at least it made me feel better.
As for that attached sample weld, after the picture ( comments? ) I cut it into 1” strips. Since it was welded from one side only, I check each strip for penetration. Except for the beginning and end section, I had 50% to 60% penetration. On the end sections I had only about 30% penetration. I then beat each strip against the weld to failure. That is I folded the joint on to the weld. In all but the beginning and end section, the failure was a tear out of the base metal. In the beginning and end section, the failure was a tear out of the weld fillet/base metal bond. Am I OK, or am I in left field?
Self-taught, and not knowledgeable, yet. Willing to learn, all comments welcome.
Thx’s, FAB
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