Heavy fabrication

Different requirements, higher grade material

Because things are made here rather than repaired, the requirements for the welding consumable are higher. An all rounder such as Red Extra plays a smaller role here. What you need is material with more strength and toughness, able to withstand high temperatures and offering resistance to corrosion, acids and high pressures.

Safety as the highest priority

In heavy construction the consequences of an error are large. If a pressure vessel fails, that can affect an entire plant, with possibly dozens of casualties. That is why the product alone is not what counts, but the whole welding chain around it, meaning a safe welding procedure, certified base material, certified welders and certified welding consumables. Only when all those links are right is the responsibility covered. If something does go wrong after all, no one is at fault and everyone has done their part properly.

For critical structures, think of a bridge, a stadium stand, a crane or a pressure vessel, certified welding consumables are often a legal requirement. A designer has to take that into account in the design phase and source electrodes or welding wires from a supplier with a valid approval. In Europe this is arranged through CE, with standards audited by bodies such as TÜV, Lloyd's Register and DNV.