Welding

How do you effectively assess welding failures and safety strategies for welding in various environments?

Welding, brazing, and soldering are used in products and structures across many disciplines and industries, including heavy equipment manufacturing, biomedical devices, automotive, aerospace, oil and gas, electronics, and batteries. Exponent combines experience in these industries with technical knowledge in areas such as materials science, metallurgy, electrical and mechanical engineering, and thermal sciences to help clients resolve and mitigate joining and welding challenges, as well as conduct weld failure investigations and identify failure modes and joint defects. Exponent's health scientists and industrial hygienists study the health effects associated with welding including exposure to fumes and potential fire and explosion hazards.

Our licensed professional engineers, certified welding inspectors, and licensed non-destructive evaluation technicians provide clients with support across the spectrum of welding and joining challenges. We have expertise related to code compliance, which often includes weld and joint inspection, mechanical testing, and evaluation of contract documents such as welding procedure specifications (WPS), procedure qualification record (PQR), and welder performance qualification (WPQ). Furthermore, Exponent staff has significant experience conducting failure investigations that involve welds and in identifying relevant potential failure modes and defects in joints. We also provide potential mitigation strategies for joining issues. 

Beyond the engineering side of welding and joining, Exponent also provides services in areas related to welding safety and injury assessment. For example, Exponent's health scientists have evaluated the health effects of welding fumes on workers, and our engineers have consulted on issues related to construction injuries and potential/actual fires and explosions related to welding activities. Welding safety also includes addressing physical, electrical, radiation, pressure, and other hazards in the welding environment.