Smart choice for Underwater
SMART CHOICE FOR UNDERWATER
In recent years, more than 50 percent of developed oil deposits and natural gas pipelines are located under the sea, increasing offshore development to develop and exploit mineral resources. Underwater welding plays a special role in the maintenance and repair of modern offshore installations, pipelines and ships. The large amount of underwater structures used in oil and gas production and the increasing intensity of maritime transportation constitute the technological cornerstone of economic development and strategic issues. Gedik Welding has produced Turkey's first domestic underwater welding electrodes as a product of its long years of knowledge and experience in the welding industry. These electrodes have been designed and formulated to produce welding metal with unrivaled, high-performance standards in the field for structural underwater wet welding in all sectors, including offshore oil and gas pipelines, commercial vessels, coastal industries and nuclear facilities. It is available for assembly and repair welding in water depths up to 20 m for offshore and harbor construction, shipbuilding and underwater engineering.
Meets Class A Source Criteria
Metal arc welding with covered electrodes with rutile character is the most common underwater welding method used. GeKa UW E7014 is a rutile covered electrode developed for underwater welding with a waterproof coating. AWS A5.35/A5.35M: 2015 standard requirement and AWS D3.6M:2017 Class A quality level. A premium underwater welding electrode with excellent properties that fulfills the "Class A" welding criterion in all positions for both inside fillet and butt welds of pipe and sheet joints according to the international AWS D3.6M:2017 standard. The electrode consists of a specially formulated high efficiency rutile coating that offers a continuous weld seam.
Waterproof Coating
The electrode cover needs to be protected from the water environment by a waterproof coating. In order for underwater welding electrodes to provide high quality weld metal, the waterproof coating is expected to prevent moisture from penetrating the electrode cover, while at the same time allowing it to burn without undue interference with metal transfer. The waterproof coating protects the electrode cover from water and moisture. It also provides the highest level of protection against physical damage to the electrodes, while providing electrical protection for the diver underwater. The soft breakable electrode tip prevents contact of the electrode cover with water, even if it has to remain underwater until welding. Thus, the electrode continues to retain its rutile cover properties during welding. GeKa UW E7014 electrodes are comfortable to use in both fresh and salt water, perform exceptionally well in any position and are specially designed to produce high quality welds at different depths on a variety of carbon steels. With its outstanding user-friendly features and enabling long working times underwater, GeKa UW E7014 is destined to become the electrode of choice for professional welders worldwide. More stable burning and less spatter during welding than other underwater welding electrodes. Easy slag cleaning for the welder. The electrode is easy to re-ignite and the molten metal deposition rate is highly efficient and excellent seam appearance is achieved.
Effective and fast solution
International interests to develop and exploit the oceans and their mineral resources have allowed the development of offshore gas and oil fields, offshore construction and hence underwater resource development. Underwater welding has been used for construction and maintenance work, but mostly for temporary repair work. Failure of parts underwater can be caused by collisions of ships, unexpected accidents or corrosion. Underwater welding is an effective and fast solution as it can be done immediately after the accident without the need to remove the structure from the water. Underwater welding is also applied in the manufacture of large ships and offshore structures that do not fit into the dock. Underwater welding is also applied to the installation and maintenance of pipelines. GeKa UW E7014 electrodes are available in Ø3,20 and Ø4,00mm. Welding should be performed in accordance with the parameters specified in the catalog.
Protective equipment and diving equipment in accordance with occupational safety rules must be used before all stages of use. The most important issue in underwater welding is the availability of welding and welding safety equipment. Due to the high safety risks, great importance and responsibility for carrying out these activities lies with trained human resources, including surface divers and the organizational team. GeKa UW E7014 electrodes are designed to be used in all positions, even for less experienced divers. At the same time, in the hands of more experienced divers, welding can be performed allowing a friendly, controllable arc characteristic. Welding pliers and torches should be as insulating as possible, allowing as little current to escape as possible. Attention should be paid to the angle and height of the grip in welding due to the effect of pressure under water. Attention should be paid to the applicability and accuracy of welding positions.
