Fundamental Difficulties Associated With Underwater Wet Welding

The offshore industries carry out welding activities in the wet environment. It is evident that the wet environments possess difficulties in carrying out underwater welding. Therefore there is the need to improve the quality of weld achieved in underwater welding. This paper investigates the difficulties associated with underwater welding. The objective of this research paper is to identify and analyze the different difficulties in underwater welding so as to make a clear background for further research to identifying the processes of eliminating these difficulties. The major difficulties in underwater welding are the cooling rate of the weld metal and arc stability during underwater wet welding at a higher depth. Methods of decreasing the cooling rate of weld metal and how to achieve arc stability are the major methods of approach. The result of welds achieved in underwater welding will be much improved as compared to air welding if the effects of the difficulties associated with underwater welding are eliminated. This will lead to a more robust welding activities being carried out underwater.