Welding Ductile Pipe

[Dusty]

Can anyone suggest advice on welding ductile pipe ?

[Franz©]

Epoxy works best, unless you're seeking an adventure in frustration.

[Andrew Mackey]

Dusty,
Ductile does not weld well, probably worse to weld than cast iron! Ductile iron for water service is extremely hard, and is also very brittle. It will tend to stress fracture after welding. I will contact the welding instructor at my union hall to see what he suggests. In the field, ductile is not welded. It is threaded and screwed, put together with mechanical joints (bell and spigot type of joint, using a rubber ring, compression ring, and lock down bolts), and or in older sections, lead and oakum caulked joints. Most of the ductile service pipe is also epoxy lined. The epoxy gives off dangerous fumes when heated. If you have 'Tru-Spun' ductile sewer pipe, it is not lined. Note - ductile is brittle stuff - It can fracture if hit with a hammer! I will get back to you with the welding info.
Andrew