ASME Section IX Welding Processes

In our August issue, we discussed the history of ASME Section IX and its importance to both safety and quality in the welding industry.  In this month’s article, we look at the qualified welding processes that are covered by ASME Section IX, where and why they are used.

ASME Section IX is the ASME code section that establishes the rules for qualifying welding procedures, welders and welding operators. It covers a broad range of welding technologies for different applications.

For power piping, process piping and industrial pipe fabrication, the “Big Five” are particularly important. These include GTAW (TIG), SMAW (Stick), GMAW (MIG), FCAW (Flux-Cored Arc Welding) and SAW (Submerged Arc Welding).

• SMAW: (Shielded Metal Arc Welding) The key advantage of SMAW Stick) is that it is portable, versatile and excellent for field work. It is used for power piping with both carbon and alloy materials, field piping, structural and pressure-vessel welding.
• GTAW: (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding) TIG welding utilizes exceptional control and weld quality. This technology is used for precision applications requiring high weld quality, cleanliness, and control on thin or exotic metals including stainless and nickel alloys.
• GMAW: (Gas Metal Arc Welding) MIG welding is fast, productive and easily mechanized. GMAW is widely used across manufacturing, automotive production, and construction for fast, efficient metal joining. Its applications include shop fabrication and production welding.
• FCAW: (Flux-Cored Arc Welding) This technology has high deposition rate and good productivity. FCAW is used for heavy-duty structural fabrication, outdoor construction, and deep-penetration welding on thick metals.
• SAW: (Submerged Arc Welding) SAW has a very high deposition rate, is excellent for shop production and produces high-quality, defect-free results. SAW can be found utilized with large diameter pipe, pressure vessels and heavy fabrication.

Welding capabilities need to be built around qualified welding procedures, qualified welding personnel and disciplined fabrication welding practices consistent with applicable ASME requirements.

At Dixie Mechanical, our experienced craftsmen combine proven welding technology with quality-controlled fabrication processes to produce reliable, field-ready piping.