Ceramic backing tile with consumable insert

A method for forming a weld backing assembly comprising:

• forming a backing tile assembly configured to be applied to the underside of a seam between adjacent edges of two spaced-apart metal articles which are to be welded together, the backing tile assembly including a plurality of individual backing tiles and further configured to be aligned beneath the seam between the adjacent edges of the articles to support molten weld metal;
• forming a centrally aligned elongate channel within a top layer of the backing tile assembly, wherein the centrally aligned elongate channel spans the length of the backing tile assembly;
• forming a plurality of transverse channels within a top layer of the backing tile assembly, including forming at least one transverse channel within an upper region of the top layer of at least one of the plurality of individual backing and forming at least one transverse channel within a lower region of the top layer of at least one of the plurality of individual backing tiles;
• forming a consumable metal insert configured to be embedded into the top layer of the backing tile assembly, including forming an elongate strip configured to be embedded into the centrally aligned elongate channel and forming one or more lateral strips configured to be embedded into corresponding lateral channels formed within the top layer of the backing tile assembly;
• and
• embedding the consumable metal insert into the top layer of the backing tile assembly.

A weld backing assembly comprising:

• a backing tile assembly configured to be applied to the underside of a seam between adjacent edges of two spaced-apart metal articles which are to be welded together, the backing tile assembly is further configured to be aligned beneath the seam between the adjacent edges of the articles to support molten weld metal, the backing tile assembly including:
• a centrally aligned elongate channel spanning the length of the backing tile assembly;
• and
• one or more transverse channels formed within a top layer of the backing tile assembly, wherein a first transverse channel may be formed within a top layer of a first backing tile and a second transverse channel may be formed within a top layer of a second backing tile that is spaced apart from the first backing tile by at least a third backing tile;
• and
• a consumable metal insert embedded into the top layer of the backing tile, the consumable metal insert including an elongate strip configured to be embedded into the centrally aligned elongate channel and one or more lateral strips configured to be embedded into corresponding transverse channels formed within the first and second the backing tiles.