Ceramic Backing...

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Hey guys just curious as to what info you could all give me on ceramic backing ?  How to weld with it ?  What processes are commonly used ?  I believe flux core ?Also how you would attach it and set it up behind your weld ?     Basically im curious as to how ceramic backing is applied in ship repairs,  inserts and such ?   Every insert I have been involved with had a radius on the corners.   How does the radius get dealt with when using ceramics ?I know little to nothing about the subject,  always rooted our inserts with stick and burned them out with 7018,  then backgouged the the other side and hit it with 7018.   Just curious to see if there is a faster and better method...Thanks guys....Journeyman / Red Seal Welder (What a useless test)Miller CST 280Miller XMT 350Miller 12vs XtremeEvolution Evo 28 mag drillEvolution 380 Dry Cut saw
Reply:The ESABNA site is down right now but if you go there and search for ceramic backer youll find quite a lot of info. Ive never done it myself or had the need...just what Ive read.
Reply:Hello Newfie_1986, there are a wide variety of types/shapes of ceramic backing, likely there are also a number of producers of it at this time. The ones that I am familiar with utilize a type of "tape" that allows the ceramic sections to be taped to the back of a weld joint.  Most of this backing that I have seen and used has a tape that is similar to the foil tape that is used for containing purge gases on GTAW open-root pipe welds.They come with 3/4 to 1" sections of ceramic already affixed and aligned and are roughly a foot long or so, you can tear/cut them to fit your application. They also are available with different profiles to help with "shaping" the resulting root bead.Can be a little bit tricky to get used to when you first use the stuff since it is not electrically conductive. You need to start the arc on the side/end of the weld groove and then bridge it across and work it along. Hope this helps with an understanding of some sort to what you are asking. Best regards, Allanaevald
Reply:Can it be used with stick ?  The few videos on Youtube the people are running wire....   Seems like a really efficient way to get things done.   Its something im going to have to look into a lot more...Journeyman / Red Seal Welder (What a useless test)Miller CST 280Miller XMT 350Miller 12vs XtremeEvolution Evo 28 mag drillEvolution 380 Dry Cut saw
Reply:Just found these guys, http://cerbaco.com/index.html  looks like you can use stick with it..   Im really liking the idea of this stuff...Last edited by Newfie_1986; 05-17-2013 at 07:57 PM.Journeyman / Red Seal Welder (What a useless test)Miller CST 280Miller XMT 350Miller 12vs XtremeEvolution Evo 28 mag drillEvolution 380 Dry Cut saw
Reply:We used it one time in welding school with open root joints using 7018 for the root just to see how it worked. It worked OK but I would rather use a steel backer bar and wash it off if possible. Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2Hobart Stick mate LX AC/DCHarris O/A outfit
Reply:I believe that you are going to find that this is not an inexpensive alternative to using a steel backing strip or other backing alternatives. Where it "is" likely reasonably cost effective is in cases where the backing requires removal. The ceramic can be "chipped off" like welding slag, whereas a steel backing requires a thermal removal process of some sort and likely profile grinding afterwards. Same sort of attention is required with back-gouging/grinding and welding, thus a savings in labor cost. Best regards, Allanaevald
Reply:not familiar with this insert you mentioned. I've used it on open butt grooves on plate and also welding the end of a beam to the web/side of another beam. It works great! you just tape it up tight against the gap and go to town, it's a real short learning curve to get the hang of it. I've even used it on pipe when the gap got huge, inspectors were not too pleased when they found out, not in the proceeedure!