Olin Fineweld Tube

Weld Integrity 

The high frequency welding process produces a narrow, hot wrought “forge-weld” structure of exceptional quality.  The photomicrograph below on the left is for a typical weld produced by this process.  Note the narrow homogeneous structure of the weld.  The width of the weld is uniform from top to bottom indicating that the heat energy input was uniform.  Flow lines pass parallel to and away from the weld indicating the high forging pressure which formed the metallurgical bond.  Since a high frequency induction weld is a wrought structure similar to the parent material, and since no filler metals are used, the strength, ductility, and corrosion resisting characteristics of the weld are similar to the parent material.

The photomicrograph shown below on the right is that of a weld produced by a TIG welding process.  Note the cast structure associated with this process.  This weld would need to be cold worked and annealed for use in a corrosive environment.

The photomicrographs shown below indicate that after annealing, the forge-weld area is indiscernible from the rest of the tube.

The true test of a product is how it performs in demanding applications.  Shown below are several applications in which Fineweld^® Tube’s welded tubing is used that demonstrate the superior weld integrity of the product.