how does underwater welding work?
In: 39
Super hot, water doesn’t stand a chance. Water turns to gas and welding happens.
“The methodby which underwater welding, also known as wet welding, works is incredible. Wet welding is performed using an electrode that contains a cathode, anode, and plasma. The cathode is negatively charged, and the anode is positively charged. As a result of their opposite charges, electrons travel from the cathode down to the anode while positive ions move up to the cathode. As more and more particles move, a massive amount of energy is generated. As a result, the arc coming out of the welder’s tool heats up to over 5,000 degrees Celsius. This arc is protected by a waterproof gaseous bubble that forms around it. Within this protective bubble, it is possible to weld surfaces together.”
Sorry I thought this said underwear welding for a second and I was very confused and interested at the same time
Welding works by running lots of electricity through a material.
Lots of electricity makes lots of heat.
Things get so hot that water turns to gas and gases turn into plasma. (which is conductive, so it helps even more electricity flow!)
Metal liquefies from the heat and mixes together.
This can work anywhere that something very conductive (like metals) is surrounded by something much less conductive (like air/water) because the more conductive areas absorb waaay more heat.
Basically the electrode produces a pocket of inert gas, and the metal from the electrode melts and fuses to the metal its welding to.
Random possible fact that my welding instructor gave me was the most dangerous part of underwater welding was going into the pod that brings the welders deep under water, and not the welding itself. Apparently more die during the trip down or up, than during the welding.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLcMkAzky24](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLcMkAzky24) fascinating video on “The dangerous world of underwater welding”
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