TIG Welding in Stainless Steel Pipes for Potable Water Distribution Systems

by M. Malafaya-Baptista
(Porto, Portugal)

Using a TIG Welding procedure in Stainless Steel Pipes for Potable Water Distribution Systems(for instance, a home or a hotel)is it obligatory to make the purge (with argon) of the interior of the pipe ?

Or is it an alternative solution to simple TIG Welding of the external part of the pipe with better results on what concerns the aim of keeping the stainless characteristics in the interior of the pipe (avoiding sugaring) ?

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Dear M. Malafaya-Baptista,

I am not familiar with the welding codes in Portugal, but sugaring will definitely trap bacteria.

I would think it necessary.