Introduction to Underwater Welding

Underwater welding falls into two categories. Wet welding uses waterproof stick electrodes (E7014 or E7018 with waterproof coatings) operated directly in the water. The arc creates a gas bubble that shields the puddle momentarily, but hydrogen pickup and rapid cooling reduce weld quality compared to surface welding. Dry hyperbaric welding encloses the weld zone in a pressurized chamber (habitat) filled with a gas mixture, allowing the welder-diver to work in dry conditions at ambient pressure. Hyperbaric welds can achieve surface-quality results but at dramatically higher cost.