AIS Develops New Electrode for Subsea Welding

Advanced Industrial Solutions (AIS) has produced a new welding electrode which it believes will save marine companies significant time and costs on underwater welding projects.

The so-called Barracuda Gold Welding Electrode, manufactured in AIS fabrication facility in North East England, is a specialist welding electrode which operates for up to eight hours underwater. However, according to the company, in testing it far exceeded this timescale, achieving a Class B weld after 24 hours of submersion.

This innovation, which comprises of multi-layers of specialist coating, means the underwater welder needs less electrodes to complete each job and returns to the surface less frequently so projects can be completed considerably faster with less wastage, the company explains.

Head of AIS Technical, Chris Evans, said: “The Barracuda welding electrode was an internationally patented product in the portfolio of Speciality Welds. When Advanced Industrial Solutions acquired Speciality Welds in 2015, we recognised the opportunity to develop a next generation product and applied our highly innovative approach to eventually come up with the Barracuda Gold.

“This product is a significant development which will benefit both the marine and subsea sectors. The increased length of time it will last in water will enable underwater welding projects to be completed in considerably less time.”