TPT March 2012

T echnology N ews Purge dams and weld analysers

SUMNER Manufacturing has launched new inflatable weld purge dams for use with stainless pipe from 50 to 350mm (2" to 14") in diameter. Inflatable purge dams can be used to quickly and efficiently create a reduced oxygen weld chamber where it is critical to avoid oxidation in the weld, for example when welding exotic metals such as stainless, duplex or titanium. “Inflatable purge dams provide welders with an inexpensive, time-saving, reusable device that not only performs a critical application of increased weld quality, but reduces argon consumption and increases weld production rate,” said Sumner president Rob Collins. “Using an inflatable weld purge dam system, purging a 6" pipe to less than 1 per cent oxygen content takes less than 3 minutes. Other solutions such as paper dams simply can’t match that kind of production.” The purge dams are constructed using a primary and secondary inflatable dam at either end that are covered with heat- and

Inflatable weld purge dams

spark-resistant double-stitched Proban ® cotton and connected with a 12" to 14" armoured stainless steel spinal hose. The spinal hose has a reactive valve to vent argon to the weld chamber. The primary dam is fitted with a primary hose to inflate the dams, a secondary hose that can be used to bypass inflation and quickly flood the weld chamber with argon, and a hose outlet for venting excess argon. Both the primary and secondary dams have a reinforced eyelet pull loop for feeding and retrieving the purge dam system inside pipe. The inflatable weld purge dam system works by connecting the primary inflation hose to the argon supply hose. Once the purge dam system has been positioned

with the primary and secondary dams on either side of the weld the flow of argon to the purge dams can begin. Argon inflates the primary dam, flows through the spinal hose and inflates the secondary dam before finally venting through the reactive valve in the spinal hose to flood the weld chamber. Once the weld chamber is fully pressurised, argon will exhaust in the vicinity of the weld and through the argon vent hose. When the oxygen level has reached acceptable levels welding can begin. Sumner Manufacturing Co, Inc – USA Fax: +1 281 999 6966 Email: customerservice@sumner.com Website: www.sumner.com