Re: Golden Weld

Very well put!

Speaking from the Inspector standpoint, I might only add one thing. The processes for treating final closure welds are well spelled out in some construction codes which I would consult for strict compliance purposes. For instance, ASME B31.3 has extensive directions which I have seen often change the decision on whether or not to hydrotest when it is at all possible. As for the golden term...I learn something new everyday!

Have a great weekend folks,

Bob

• In PipingDesign@yahoogroups.com, Kevin Dolan <dolomail99@...> wrote:
  >
  > Hi Guy's,
  > with regard to the 'Golden Weld' theories
  > going around, the latest bit of info is that such
  > welds are now called 'Closure Welds' as the old term
  > is not representative, in this technically correct
  > world of today.
  > Anyway, being an 'old bod' I will stick to the term
  > for the sake of continuity.
  > In my experience with Golden Welds is that they were
  > always treated with the utmost repect for the obvious
  > reason, that they were not proof tested by going
  > through the hydrotest process.
  >
  > As for the substitue measures that can be taken with
  > such welds, there are many and usually there is a
  > method statement generated and approved by the Client
  > to spell out the process for completing such welds.
  >
  > I have in the past been involved with the witnessing
  > of such welds and it is usually up to the Welding
  > Engineer to decide on what length to go with these
  > joints, in the past I have had to follow a whole
  > variety of stringent controls to ensure that the welds
  > were carried out in the best possible way.
  >
  > Some of the measures are as follows:
  >
  > 1). A qualified Inspector being present throughout the
  > welding operation to confirm the visual condition of
  > the weld at all stages of completion.
  > 2). A visual inspection of the root of the weld, this
  > was achieved by leaving the final length of root bead
  > open, (100mm), for a visual inspection with a pen
  > light, to ensure defects such as lack of root fusion
  > were not present.
  > 3). Controlled sequential welding was applied to
  > lessen the unnecessary stress that could be put into
  > the weld by not applying such method.
  > 4). The Hot Pass of the weld was sometimes MPI'd or
  > DPI'd, dependant on the pre-heat requirements or the
  > material being welded.(never the root as it is too
  > sensitive an area and it is best to be covered over
  > with the hot pass bead as quickly as possible for
  > added strength).
  > 5). Heat inputs were sometimes taken at certain
  > intervals during welding by the Inspector, as would be
  > during a Weld Procedure Qualification test, using
  > 'Tong testers'/stopwatch/tape measure/calculator, to
  > ensure that the welder was working within the
  > peramaters stipulated in the relevant welding
  > procedure.
  > 6). Joint interpass temperatures would be taken with a
  > digital thermometer at the end of each pass, to ensure
  > that the interpass tempareture was in line with the
  > welding procedure tolerances.
  > 7). Finally, when the 'Golden Weld' was completed
  > there would be a whole range of NDE to complete such
  > as Visual inspection, MPI or DPI, Radiographic AND
  > Ultrasonic Inspection, both prior to and after Post
  > Weld Heat Treatment, (if PWHT was applicable).
  >
  > Still being in the business after 35 years, I look in
  > dispair today when it is notedthat such critical
  > joints are not treated with the same respect today.
  >
  > It is in my book better to be safe than sorry by going
  > the extra yard with the controls, in such critical
  > instances.
  >
  > Hope this mail is food for thought and enlightens
  > some..........?
  >
  > kdo.
  >
  >
  >
  >
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  >
  > --- CHAKRABORTYP2@... wrote:
  >
  > > Hi all,
  > >
  > >
  > > In a new piping fabrication/installation/replacement
  > > jobs, generally all
  > > the weld joints are hydroteted (along with other NDT
  > > methods) in phases.
  > > However, sometimes due to some layout/site problems,
  > > it is almost impossible
  > > to do hydrotest of the final weld joint. We refer
  > > that weld joint as golden
  > > joint.
  > >
  > > Generally, Dye penetrant test of root weld,
  > > radiographt etc.. is used for
  > > quality control of that joint
  > >
  > > Say, something like a hook-up to an existing line
  > > etc..
  > >
  > > Regards
  > >
  > > Chakra
  > >
  > >
  > >
  > > -----
  > >
  > >
  > >
  > > [Non-text portions of this message have been
  > > removed]
  > >
  > >
  >
  >
  >
  >
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