Description
Aquasol Water Soluble Paper & Tape helps fabricators build temporary, dissolvable purge dams for TIG welding. Cut and shape the material for round, square, rectangular, or irregular openings when a standard preformed dam is not the right fit. Positioning a dam close to the weld joint reduces the purge volume and can help use inert gas more efficiently.
Choose paper and tape when you need a small number of unusual sizes, one-off diameters, or a custom dam shape. Sheets and rolls give you flexibility to match the inside profile of the pipe or duct before welding.
Recommended distance from the weld joint
| Pipe diameter | Recommended distance | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| English | Metric | English | Metric |
| 2 in. – 8 in. | 51 – 203 mm | 6 in. | 152 mm |
| 10 in. – 22 in. | 254 – 559 mm | 8 in. | 203 mm |
| 24 in. – 36 in. | 610 – 914 mm | 12 in. | 305 mm |
Specifications
| Item no. | Thickness | Dimensions | Type | Case pack | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | Metric | ||||
| ASW-35/S-112RW | .0035 in. | 8 1/2 in. x 11 in. | 22 cm x 28 cm | Sheet | 1000 sheets/ream |
| ASW-35/S-14R | .0035 in. | 8 1/2 in. x 14 in. | 216 mm x 355 mm | Sheet | 500 sheets/ream |
| ASW-35/S-22R | .0035 in. | 17 in. x 22 in. | 431 mm x 559 mm | Sheet | 500 sheets/ream |
| ASW-60/S-22R | .0070 in. | 15 1/2 in. x 22 in. | 394 mm x 559 mm | Sheet | 250 sheets/ream |
| ASW-35/R-9 | .0035 in. | 9 in. x 165 ft. | 23 cm x 50 m | Roll | 4 rolls/case |
| ASW-35/R-15 | .0035 in. | 15 1/2 in. x 165 ft. | 39 cm x 50 m | Roll | 4 rolls/case |
| ASW-40C/R20.5 | .0050 in. | 20 1/2 in. x 165 ft. | 52 cm x 50 m | Roll | 4 rolls/case |
| ASW-60/R-15 | .0070 in. | 15 1/2 in. x 165 ft. | 39 cm x 50 m | Roll | 4 rolls/case |
| ASW-60/R-31 | .0070 in. | 31 in. x 165 ft. | 79 cm x 50 m | Roll | 4 rolls/case |
| ASWT-1 | N/A | 1 in. x 300 ft. | 2.5 cm x 92 m | Roll | 24 rolls/case |
| ASWT-2* | N/A | 2 in. x 300 ft. | 5 cm x 92 m | Roll | 12 rolls/case |
*Available with EZ Peel Release Liner.
Selecting the right grade
| ASW-35 | For pipes with an inside diameter of 4 in. or less. |
| ASW-40C | When higher purge-gas retention is needed. |
| ASW-60 | For pipes with an inside diameter of 4 in. or greater. |
| ASWT | For securing compatible water-soluble dam material and forming a sealed edge. |
Why use water-soluble paper and tape
- A low-permeability barrier helps retain purge gas in the welding zone.
- Custom shapes can reduce the purge chamber volume for unusual pipe schedules, ducts, and openings.
- Tape secures the paper to the inside pipe wall to support a continuous seal.
- The material is made from sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and wood pulp, and is 100% biodegradable.
- When a water or steam hydro-test follows welding, the material is designed to dissolve for straightforward removal.
- Individually packaged rolls support organized storage and handling.
For common pipe sizes or repeated work, consider Water Soluble Purge Dams. They provide a ready-made option when a custom paper dam is not required.
Not sure which to use? Read our guide: Purge paper vs purge dams: which should you use?
Frequently asked questions
Is this the same as rice paper for welding?
Yes. Welders often call water-soluble purge paper “rice paper” or “dam paper”. Aquasol’s paper is made from sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and wood pulp and dissolves in water or steam after welding.
Which purge paper grade should I use?
ASW-35 suits pipe up to 4 in. inside diameter, ASW-60 suits 4 in. and larger, and ASW-40C gives higher purge-gas retention.
When is water-soluble paper and tape the best choice?
Use it for one-off diameters, irregular profiles, or small quantities of a particular size. It can be cut and assembled to suit the purge chamber rather than relying on a fixed-size dam.
How should I choose a paper grade?
Use the selection table above as a starting point. Choose ASW-35 for smaller inside diameters, ASW-60 for larger diameters, and ASW-40C where added gas retention is important.
How is the material removed after welding?
The paper and tape are intended to dissolve during a water or steam hydro-test, avoiding the need to retrieve a physical dam from inside the pipe.
