Welding has become a fairly common practice in pressure vessel fabrication and maintenance. From tube ends to plugs, welding can provide additional strength or sealing coverage if done correctly. When it comes to tube plugging, many customers are asking about plug materials and special requirements to ensure vessel specifications are met. This article will examine the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) code, material types, nomenclature, and impacts to the welding process.
When plugging a tube, it’s best to use the same or a compatible material to the tube to prevent corrosion. Using a dissimilar metal will cause the tube and plug to corrode, resulting in a leak and plug failure. In most cases it’s easy to match the tube material to the plug without any special material designations, however, there are a few materials that can have several grades depending on the application.