A method of controlling a weld penetration profile on a workpiece (306) having an outer region and an inner region is described. The method comprises the step of applying energy to the outer region of the workpiece with a welder (302) to produce a weld pool (304). The method also comprises the steps of penetrating the workpiece (306) such that the weld pool (304) spans between the outer region and inner region, and also applying a shielding gas to the inner region at a pressure that provides a force that limits weld penetration. A corresponding apparatus is also defined.

A method of controlling a weld penetration profile on a workpiece (306) having an outer region and an inner region is described. The method comprises the step of applying energy to the outer region of the workpiece with a welder (302) to produce a weld pool (304). The method also comprises the steps of penetrating the workpiece (306) such that the weld pool (304) spans between the outer region and inner region, and also applying a shielding gas to the inner region at a pressure that provides a force that limits weld penetration. A corresponding apparatus is also defined.

A lap fillet arc-welded joint produced by overlapping two metal sheets and welding an end portion of one sheet of the two metal sheets to a surface of the other sheet along the end portion of the one sheet includes a protruding curved potion being bead-shaped and protruding from the surface of the other sheet; and a weld toe positioned on a top portion of the protruding curved portion.

A lap fillet arc-welded joint produced by overlapping two metal sheets and welding an end portion of one sheet of the two metal sheets to a surface of the other sheet along the end portion of the one sheet includes a protruding curved potion being bead-shaped and protruding from the surface of the other sheet; and a weld toe positioned on a top portion of the protruding curved portion.

A field system for welding two pipes includes a first pipe engagement structure, a second pipe engagement structure, one or more weld torches, a motor and one or more processors. The one or more weld torches are configured to be positioned within the pipes to create an internal weld at an interface region between the pipes. The motor is operatively associated with the one or more weld torches to rotate the one or more weld torch along the interface region between the pipes. The one or more processors control the motor and the one or more weld torches. The one or more processors operate the motor and the one or more weld torches to generate a complete circumferential weld along the interface region by rotating the one or more weld torches along the interface region in a single rotational direction until the complete circumferential weld is completed.

An end product and system for connecting large aluminum tubular pipe segments into an Isolated Phase Bus comprising reducing the diameter (or increasing the same) of one end of a tubular segment and sliding it into (or over) the untreated end of an adjacent pipe or tubular segment, followed by a tubular and circumferential welding of the same. The outside or inside circumference of the connected segments are uniform from distal to proximal end of the overall length of the connected tubular segments. A structural integral, axially aligned, simplified set of connectable tubular segments allows for a grounded connection between power generators and step transformers. Preferably, the overall diameter change of the necked down flange (or outwardly flared flange) of one tubular segment is less than or only slightly greater than twice the material wall thickness of the tubular segment's initial pre-rolled flat aluminum sheet material.

The invention relates to nuclear power and can be used in manufacturing of fuel elements for nuclear reactors. A method of sealing nuclear reactor fuel elements is proposed comprising welding one end of a casing with a first plug, loading the fuel element with fuel, and welding a second plug to another end of the casing. The casing is of a high-chromium ferrite-martensite steel and the plugs are of a ferrite steel. Argon arc welding is carried out at a volume ratio of the materials of the casing and the plugs contributing to formation of the metal of the weld seam which allows formation of a ferrite phase in said metal, wherein the ratio is: V.sub.1/V.sub.20.18, where V.sub.1 is the volume of ferrite material and V.sub.2 is the volume of ferrite-martensite material. Argon arc welding is carried out at a current of 14-20 A, a speed of 12-15 m/h, an arc voltage of 9-10 V and an argon flow rate of 7-8 l/min. This method provides for the desired quality of the welded joins and simplifies the fuel element manufacturing process.

The invention relates to nuclear power and can be used in manufacturing of fuel elements for nuclear reactors. A method of sealing nuclear reactor fuel elements is proposed comprising welding one end of a casing with a first plug, loading the fuel element with fuel, and welding a second plug to another end of the casing. The casing is of a high-chromium ferrite-martensite steel and the plugs are of a ferrite steel. Argon arc welding is carried out at a volume ratio of the materials of the casing and the plugs contributing to formation of the metal of the weld seam which allows formation of a ferrite phase in said metal, wherein the ratio is: V.sub.1/V.sub.20.18, where V.sub.1 is the volume of ferrite material and V.sub.2 is the volume of ferrite-martensite material. Argon arc welding is carried out at a current of 14-20 A, a speed of 12-15 m/h, an arc voltage of 9-10 V and an argon flow rate of 7-8 l/min. This method provides for the desired quality of the welded joins and simplifies the fuel element manufacturing process.

Methods for welding a particle-matrix composite body to another body and repairing particle-matrix composite bodies are disclosed. Additionally, earth-boring tools having a joint that includes an overlapping root portion and a weld groove having a face portion with a first bevel portion and a second bevel portion are disclosed. In some embodiments, a particle-matrix bit body of an earth-boring tool may be repaired by removing a damaged portion, heating the particle-matrix composite bit body, and forming a built-up metallic structure thereon. In other embodiments, a particle-matrix composite body may be welded to a metallic body by forming a joint, heating the particle-matrix composite body, melting a metallic filler material forming a weld bead and cooling the welded particle-matrix composite body, metallic filler material and metallic body at a controlled rate.

High-strength steel having a specified chemical composition, wherein X (%) calculated by using equation (1):
X=0.35Cr+0.9Mo+12.5Nb+8V(1)
is 0.75% or more, wherein the symbols of chemical elements in equation (1) respectively denote the contents (mass %) of the corresponding chemical elements and wherein the symbol of a chemical element which is not included is assigned a value of 0, a microstructure having a bainite phase fraction of 50% or more, a dislocation density of 1.010.sup.15/m.sup.2 or more after aging has been performed under the condition of a Larson-Miller parameter (LMP) of 15000, and a yield strength of 550 MPa or more before and after the aging is performed, as well as methods of manufacturing such high-strength steel, is disclosed. The high-strength steel can be used as a raw material for manufacturing large diameter steel pipe having the strength properties required for its use in steam transportation.