If you have a hands-on experience
on welding and interested in learning to become an underwater welder and want
to get a highly paid job, then you have come to the right place. This article will help you understand the
requirements, demands, process of training, institution, salary specifications
and problem areas of underwater welding.
Job Requirements
First you need to be sensitive
about the job requirements as it must be the first step in decision of career making.
Being mentally and physically fit and
fond of diving, is what makes a welder, to be a perfect scuba or underwater
welder. He must be aware of all potential accidents, injuries, and dangers
prior to start training process.
Search for a training
institution
There are several institutes in
the world, that offer both theoretical and practical training programs and yet
the best way to enter into the industry. The program includes a session of lectures,
practical assignments and a final qualification examination. A program can also
help students to get jobs in network companies. You may find out the underwater
welding schools in the following list;
- Canadian Working Divers Institute - Canada
- Middle East for Commercial Diving – Egypt
- ABJ Welding – South Africa
- Dive Safe International – Canada
- XLT Institute of Welding – Australia
- Holland College – Canada
Apprenticeship Program
Search and apply for an
apprenticeship program nearby at different locations. Several companies
organize on-job training programs, where you can gain more skills and practical
experience and get a chance to meet employers for job placement assistance.
Pay Scale of an Underwater Welder
The factors affecting an
underwater welder salary income are; diving & welding experience,
certification level, welding equipment, environment, location and overtime,
etc. However, according to one statistical record, an average salary of an
underwater welder is about $50,000 annually.
Problem Areas in Underwater Welding
Under Water Welding in Wet has made it possible to repair underwater heavy structures that cannot be transported to land, to be welded in air. This technique can be applied for repair works on heavy ship hulls, oil and gas pipeline structures. Efforts have been made to improve the quality of wet welds (made in wet conditions) but there are some problem areas that highly influence their quality. Following are the downsides of underwater wet welding that ought to be improved in order to make high quality welds in future.
1.Welder’s Visibility
The first and foremost requirement of wet welding, is
welder’s visibility under water. The welder must be able to see and manipulate
the welds inside the water. For recent years efforts have been made to improve the
equipment that can provide welders, a clear view of arc.
2.Heat Transfer
During wet welding process, arc and base metal zone is surrounded by
water that gives rise to a quenching effect due to high temperature gradient. As a result ductility of the weld metal gets reduced along with failure of other mechanical properties.
3.Porosity
The weld zone is surrounded by high amount of water vapors
due to which hydrogen and oxygen gets entrapped into the weldment. This entrapment gives rise to devastating porosity and hydrogen induced cracking. In order to prevent such
consequences, arc zone should be kept free from water vapors under wet
conditions.
Apart from weld quality, under water (wet) welding requires
more safety and risk assessments, as compared to the welds made in air. For this
water proof electrode holders are being used and also an emergency switch
called knife switch is operated on the land surface under the instructions
of welder diving in water. Welding cables, electrodes and connections must be
made water proof by proper insulation, to avoid any contact with water. Underwater
welding is further divided into sub categories; wet welding and dry welding under water.