To what extent should the deformation of tube sheet cladding be controlled to be considered acceptable?
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It is said that tube sheet surfacing is prone to deformation, so deformation needs to be controlled. To what extent should it be controlled to be considered acceptable? Is a deformation of 5mm considered acceptable?
Depending on the thickness and diameter of the tube sheet, as well as the welding processes and control of welding heat input, the degree of deformation during tube sheet surfacing varies. This requires judgment based on the manufacturer’s own experience; it is best to determine an approximate range for this degree of deformation in advance, and then use that information to carry out rough machining of the tube sheet. Reverse deformation techniques can be employed to shape the tube sheet, followed by control over the surfacing process. The goal is to ensure that the fused surface resulting from the surfacing is roughly in one plane, which is highly beneficial for the tube sheet’s stress resistance, corrosion resistance, and for the subsequent welding of heat exchange tubes.