WELD COOLING APPARATUS AND METHOD USING AN EXPANSIBLE COOLANT AND A REFRACTORY SEAL

摘要

A weld cooling apparatus (1) for the forced cooling of a heated weld zone in a workpiece (10) being welded is described. The cooling apparatus (1) comprises at least one nozzle (6) for ejecting expansible liquid coolant and a compliant seal (20). The compliant seal (20) extends from the cooling apparatus (1) and is arranged such that, in use, the seal (20) make sealing engagement with the surface of the workpiece (10). In use, the seal (20) forms a barrier between the coolant and the weld pool. The seal (20) comprises a refractory material, typically a ceramic cloth, for example, a woven alumino silica based fibre cloth, a flexible graphite, or a fibre glass reinforced silicone rubber.