At Gregory Engineering, we’re proud of our services and are happy to work with clients here in Picton and beyond. But one of the questions people often ask us is, ‘What makes a good weld?’ So, in this article, we’re going to answer that question.
What Makes a Good Weld?
Firstly though, let’s be clear that we are responsible to our customers and industry to ensure the quality of our products and services.
Our customers shouldn’t necessarily need to know what that quality looks like. As engineers, WE are responsible for ensuring we do things right!
This applies to every piece of work we carry out but is especially important in this sector. A good weld has a long lifespan, and a bad one can be life-threatening.
When a weld fails, it costs time and money; in a worst-case scenario, it can cost lives. Welding often holds together structural beams or products that bear weight, so if they are not strong and up to standard, then it can be deadly.
The cost of failure can also mean costly loss of income and time whilst repair is undertaken.
How to spot problems:
At Gregory Engineering, we take quality control seriously. Nothing leaves our workshop without control checks. Here are some ways we visually check whether a piece of work meets our high standards.
Three Common Defects:
- Distortion – Distortion can occur when the metal warps due to excessive heat created by the welding process.
- Lack of Penetration – If a weld looks small and narrow, it won’t have fused all the way through. This is usually caused by a lack of heat in the welding process.
- Porosity – When the weld shows a bubbly, porous surface, it’s a no-go item! This often occurs when not enough shielding gas is used.
These are just three of the most common signs of a bad weld. We cover others with our team as part of our in-house training evenings, ensuring we get things right for our clients every time! If you would like to know more about our services and how we can help with your business in Picton or beyond… Contact us HERE.
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