Heat-Resistant Weld Backing Tape for Removable High-Energy Root Welding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current heat-resistant weld backing solutions are impractical for high-energy welding applications, particularly in elongated tubes and hollow structures, as they either fail to maintain the fiberglass strip in place or result in a fused steel backing member that obstructs internal structures, limiting their effectiveness and practicality.
Innovation Solution
A flexible heat-resistant weld backing tape with a metallic substrate, featuring a woven fiberglass strip attached by stitching, is placed between a backing member and a workpiece, with the adhesive facing the backing member and the heat-resistant material facing the workpiece, allowing for efficient heat protection and easy removal post-welding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a steel backing member is used that becomes fused to the workpiece, then high-energy welding is achieved, but the fused backing member blocks access to the interior of the structure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the harmful fusion characteristic from the backing member by using a non-fusing material (ceramic or graphite) that can be easily removed after welding, while still providing the necessary high-energy welding support. The backing member is taken out of the final structure, leaving only the weld.
Solution Approach 2:
The backing member is designed as a disposable, consumable component made of inexpensive ceramic or graphite material that serves its purpose during welding and is then easily discarded, providing temporary support during the welding process without becoming a permanent obstruction.
2Temperature
If a fiberglass strip is inserted between the workpiece and copper backing member, then heat protection is provided, but it is difficult to maintain the strip in place during clamping
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses composite material structures where the ceramic or graphite backing member is combined with a flexible tape substrate and adhesive layers. This composite construction provides both the heat protection of ceramic materials and the ease of positioning provided by the flexible, adhesive-backed tape.
Solution Approach 2:
The backing member incorporates a flexible tape substrate that can be easily maneuvered and positioned, conforming to the workpiece surface and maintaining proper placement during the clamping and welding operations, unlike rigid fiberglass strips.
3Power
If a thin steel backing member is used that is fused into the weld root area, then high-energy welding is achieved, but it becomes a permanent feature that may obstruct internal structures
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the permanent fusion characteristic from the backing member by using non-fusing materials that can be easily removed, allowing the interior of the structure to remain accessible and compatible with additional internal components or structures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution facilitates high-energy welding by providing effective heat resistance and easy removal of the backing tape, preventing the backing member from fusing with the workpiece, thus overcoming the limitations of existing methods and ensuring seamless access within complex structures.
Implementation Method 1
an adhesive material disposed on the second tape substrate face and arranged to face toward the backing member during welding
Implementation Method 2
A heat-resistant material is disposed on the first tape substrate face and arranged to face toward the workpiece during welding
Data Source
AI summary
A heat-resistant weld backing tape for placement between a backing member and a workpiece to be welded at a root gap. The weld backing tape includes a flexible tape substrate. The tape substrate has a longitudinal length that extends between first and second tape substrate ends, and a lateral width that extends between first and second tape substrate side edges. The tape substrate has a substantially planar first face and a substantially planar second face. The first and second tape substrate faces are mutually parallel and spaced from each other by a tape substrate thickness. The tape substrate length and the tape substrate width are substantially larger than the tape substrate thickness. A heat-resistant material is disposed on the first tape substrate face and arranged to face the workpiece during welding. An adhesive material is disposed on the second tape substrate face and arranged to face the backing member during welding.