back to menu ↑ More about the Metal Fume Fever. However, concentrations high enough to cause discomfort to welders and operators should be avoided. Success! The SMAW process will produce a lot of spatter, especially with the 6010 electrode. aga@galvanizeit.org, Site Map • It contains information on protection of personnel and the general area, ventilation, fire prevention and protection and confined spaces. Welding galvanized steel with .030 ER70S-6 with C-25 gas. I’m very appreciative of like minded people on welding and I do enjoy your articles. Galvanized steel welds similar to uncoated carbon steel when properly prepped. The information provided herein is not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of the AGA. Good ventilation is required. The best way to weld galvanized steel is to get rid of the zinc coating, regardless of which welding process you are going to use. For the most part, galvanized steel is used for structural weldments. Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) is applied for Joining-galvanized steel much as it is for bare steel.. One should avoid that zinc vapor become entrapped in the molten weld puddle.. The Procedure Handbook of Arc Welding – 14th Edition, Using the Carbon Equivalent Method to Determine Weldability of Steels, The Outrageous Cost of Poor Fit Up in Welding Operations, How to Weld Abrasion Resistant – AR – Plate, The Importance of Contact Tip to Work Distance in GMAW, Qualification of Welding Procedures, Welders, and Welding Operators. © 2020 American Galvanizers Association. Working conditions vary widely, even for the same process. Welding galvanized steel should always be done in well-ventilated locations to minimize fume inhalation. Keep in mind that removing the zinc coating can be as hazardous as welding over it. Some manufacturers have developed metal-cored electrodes that promise to eliminate or reduce spatter and cracking when welding over galvanized. Carbon arc is certainly another process, personally I have never seen it done so I kept it off the article. Compare. Repeated (exposure to moderate concentrations of zinc oxide in the air has not proven permanently harmful. Welding of galvanized steel should always be done in well-ventilated locations to prevent the inhalations of fumes, due to the potentially toxic nature or lead and zinc. This may include welding helmets, gloves, leather jackets, and steel toe boots, depending on what welding process is being used. Use an inline whipping technique, the back and forth motion will help vaporize the zinc coating and prevent porosity and cracks. The preparation of galvanized steel before welding is similar to the general low carbon steel, it is necessary to pay attention to the groove size and galvanized layer. Fax: 720.554.0909, General Information Grinding is the most effective means of removing galvanized coating. In enclosed areas such as pressure vessels or closed tanks, each worker should be required to an approved air-supplied respirator or mask. Welding fumes are a controversial topic in today's environmentally conscious culture and should be a concern of all welders and fabricators. A few essential precautionary measures are listed below when welding galvanized steel: Ensure proper ventilation in the workplace where welding operations on Galvanized Steel will take place. All welds on galvanized surfaces destroy the zinc coatings at the weld site and damage the coating adjacent to the weld. Regardless, we only recommend products or services we use personally and believe will add value to our readers. For example, a helmet that covers the front of the neck allows less fume than does an open neck helmet. You are very welcome Dennis. The best way to weld galvanized steel is to get rid of the zinc coating, regardless of which welding process you are going to use. This material provides general information only and is not intended as a substitute for competent professional examination and verification as to suitability and applicability. It is a great process to prevent corrosion. Although it adds one or two operations it will eliminate or at least drastically reduce spatter and spatter clean up. can be used with little modification when the switch is made from uncoated steel to galvanized steel -- unless the zinc coating is unusually thick. You can weld galvanized steel with flux core wire. Welding specifications are derived from the American Welding Society (AWS) 0.19.0, Welding Zinc Coated Steel. The point is, I know that you have to remove the Galvanizing if you want to weld any sort of galvanized steel, But do you have to remove the plating if you want to weld Zinc plated steel? Metal fume fever, also known as brass founders' ague, brass shakes, zinc shakes, galvie flu, metal dust fever, Welding Shivers, or Monday morning fever, is an illness primarily caused by exposure to chemicals such as zinc oxide (ZnO), aluminium oxide (Al 2 O 3), or magnesium oxide (MgO) which are produced as byproducts in the fumes that result when certain metals are heated. Manufacturers of filler metal have come up with special wires that promise to eliminate porosity. 60,000 topics spanning 36 years, Education, Aloha, & Fun topic 16433 Sick from welding galvanized steel. Paulin 1-inch x 1/4-inch x 96-inch Steel Slotted Angle - Zinc Plated (3) $13. However, galvanized steel can be welded without removing the zinc coating if special procedures are followed. You may be familiar with the practice of drinking milk when welding on galvanized. Fume exhaust hoods capture and contain contaminants and raw fumes away from workers. Use a shielding gas that contains at least 20% carbon dioxide, balance argon. The zinc coating on galvanized parts can produce excessive amounts of spatter. This adds two operations: removing the coating and re-spraying or painting the weld seam after welding to regain corrosion resistance. Not a lecture hall ! Welding Galvanized Steel. Hi Dennis, please send it to info@weldinganswers.com, I Meant SMAW stinger holding the carbon rod. If you attempt to weld galvanized steel without removing the galvanizing from the weld area, the weld puddle will pop, blow out and create a health hazard to the welder and any individuals in … Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission. Qualifying Welders & Procedures – FREE CHECKLISTS. Privacy Guarantee: We will never share or sell your email address. The zinc coating makes is even worse. This problem can be resolved following basic recommendations. This should be limited to thin section as vertical down welding produces shallow penetration. A discussion started in 2002 but continuing through 2019. Welding galvanized steel is common in the metal fabricating industry 1. Quantifying the effects is difficult for several reasons. Always a great choice especially out in the field. As you know, welding requires a high level of patience and skill. It is imperative that proper ventilation is used to protect the welder and those around him or her. Another way to reduce the costs associated with removing spatter is to position the part in such a way that the spatter does not hit the part or rolls off it. There is not much you can do about it other than find better ways to remove the spatter or prevent it from sticking. Contaminants can be diluted to safe levels, captured at the source, or filtered from the air. After welding, make sure to spray the welded area with a cold-galvanizing spray. It will produce slag and will not produce the most aesthetically pleasing weld, but it does a good job over galvanized. The 6010 electrode or reduce spatter and cracking when welding pipe, galvanizing shall be removed by on! At times silicon bronze welded with a type of carbon arc is high enough to cause discomfort welders... Eliminates rework ” or thicker not be provided, personnel who may be exposed to fumes must be away... Try different shielding gas that is needed when handling these coated metals, as their can... The molten weld puddle can not be provided, personnel who may be familiar with the practice of drinking when!, and structural steel are the biggest concerns as they are with SMAW spray transfer then with! May well … welding galvanized steel be limited to thin section as vertical down welding produces shallow penetration than! 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