Know Your Metal (Pt. 6): Recap and Conclusion
Wrapping Up the Series
Over the last six months, we’ve broken down the behavior, best practices, and pitfalls of common materials used in pressure vessels, tanks, heat exchangers, and process piping:
- Carbon Steel – The Workhorse
- Stainless Steel – Shiny, but Sensitive
- High-Nickel Alloys – The Divas of Durability
- Duplex Stainless – Strong but Stubborn
- Titanium – Light, Tough, and Technically Demanding
We close the series with a comparison of these alloys in the field—how they behave under real conditions, what we’ve learned from field repairs and new fabrication, and what that means for your next project.
Five Lessons We’ve Learned in the Field
- Heat Input Is King- From duplex to Inconel to titanium, controlling heat input is the single biggest factor that determines whether your weld will pass inspection, meet service expectations, or crack during post-weld testing.
- Cleanliness Can’t Be Faked- Especially true with stainless, duplex, and titanium. Surface contamination, poor purge, or improper tools are enough to turn a well-understood and practiced procedure into a rejected weld.
- Looks Can Be Deceiving- Many failed welds passed visual inspection with flying colors. If you’re welding duplex or nickel alloys and relying only on visual and VT, you’re not seeing the whole picture.
- More Exotic = Less Forgiving- High-nickel alloys and titanium do not tolerate casual fit-up, poor shielding, or rework. First-pass success isn’t just preferred — it’s required.
- The Right WPS Is Not Optional- Welding procedure specifications aren’t red tape — they are tested limits that ensure mechanical integrity, corrosion performance, and compliance. Don’t borrow one from carbon steel and expect it to work on 2507. Ensure that your fabrication and repair partners understand and properly implement a detailed welding procedure that follows one of the industry standards, like ASME Section IX.
From Lessons to Capabilities: How Ward Can Help
Whether you’re dealing with a standard carbon steel tank or a multi-alloy pressure system with tight outage timelines, Ward Vessel & Exchanger has the experience and capability to deliver.
We can support your team with:
- Design, fabrication, and ASME Code work for new pressure vessels and heat exchangers
- API-650/653 tank work, including tank repairs, modifications, and field builds
- Complex alloy welding, including stainless, duplex, nickel alloys, and titanium (starting in 2026)
- On-site machining, overlay, and specialty welding services for turnaround and emergency situations
- Turnkey field repairs with R-Stamp authorization for both shop and field settings
Let’s Talk About Your Next Project
If you’re planning a project that involves critical welding, tight shutdowns, alloy transitions, or just a vessel that’s seen better days, we’re ready to help. From ASME vessels to API tanks, from heat exchanger field repairs to specialty on-site services, Ward is equipped to respond—with speed, precision, and code-compliant results.
Let’s keep your equipment in spec, in service, and on schedule.
