how to weld stainless steel with arc welder

What do You Need to Weld Stainless Steel?

Yes, you can weld stainless steel with the same mild steel filler you use regularly. Any suggestions? The L refers to the alloy composition, which has a higher content of Carbon. Cheers Graham. What Kind of Welder is Best for Stainless Steel? So, the portability and the ease of SMAW welders, or stick, may be just what you need on a large job site. So, lets dive into the facts regarding how to weld stainless steel and hopefully clear up the misconceptions along the way. cored pulsed fcaw current Hope that helps The cost of welding work ranges from $25-$50 an hour. Proper fit-up allows you to use the proper amount of filler material and eliminates the need to fill gaps. First time ive stumbled on your site and its so refreshing to get the answer im looking for instantly and clearly you are now bookmarked l. You will see a thoriated red electrode used for most SS welding jobs. Another important property of mild steel is that apart from the main ingredients, iron, and Carbon, not many other alloy elements are contained in the steel. Clean the surface to be welded with a wire brush. I sincerely hope it will help you to improve your welding results as much as it did improve mine. But for several reasons, this is a tricky challenge with special considerations. Also, do not use a steel wire brush. With a stick welder, you will find the stick gets hotter as you get a couple of inches into the weld, and the arc and bead characteristics will change. Silver Soldering Holes has a few challenges, as does Silver Soldering Stainless Steel. So please share your technical justification with code/standard evidence. Be sure to use the right diameter wire, too. Pre-made inserts are difficult to find if you are a small shop or hobbyist. Also, with stick and flux-cored welding, you can tell if your speed is off by the resulting bead. Stick is simple and easy to use, but it does produce a lot of spatter. But if not, most SS welds use a slightly higher wire feed speed (WFS) than what you would use with mild steel. But if you weld 316 with 308 filler, the properties of the weld metal will be lower than the properties of the job. Welding stainless steel is becoming a highly sought-after skill with the growing use of stainless steel in products; stainless steel welding projects range from welding a cracked sink to welding a leak on a grain bin. Otherwise, you can have issues with slag inclusions in your weld. We respect your privacy and promise not to spam. I hope you found this useful, if things work out well for you, please feel free to post some pictures of your achievements on our Facebook Page. So you could weld a 304 stainless steel part with a 316 welding rod, but you should NOT weld a 316 part with a 308 welding rod as 308 is a lower grade! Each process will yield a slightly different result and will require some learning and skill to accomplish. i assumed from the op that the 3mm was wall thickness being welded to 2mm wall thickness. Imaging doing it yourself to save money and learn a valuable trade. As with the other SS welding processes, the filler material is important. Required fields are marked *. For this reason, a filler material becomes quite important, and the choice of what filler you use is critical. Yes, with FCAW, shielding gas is unnecessary for many welds. So, you need to be careful when selecting/buying wire. Safety First! Also, when flux-core welding, trim the wire tip every time you lay a bead. When welding stainless to mild you can either use wire to match the stainless, or wire to match the mild, but either way the mild is still going to rust and cause the stainless to corrode quicker at the joint. 308 and 316 grades of Welding Rod/Wire are often modified from the basic alloy.

In other words, you can make micro-adjustments on the fly as you lay the bead. Copyright 2022 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. This site also participates in affiliate programs with other sites. However, E308 or E310 electrodes also work. For welding SS set your TIG welder polarity to DCEN (direct current electrode negative). Thanks for your very informative blog. Dont worry, your email address wont be added to a database or shared and you wont receive any unsolicited email.

Weldingmastermind.com is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies., This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase , Why You Cannot Weld a Cracked Aluminum Wheel, Terms and Conditions for Weldingmastermind.com. Please confirm the subscription Email in your inbox. Cheers Graham. As you can see in the overview, the E309 electrode is a bit more pricey. So, the metal needs to be free of all paint, rust, oil, etc., and cleaned before welding. Plus, its durable and strong. But you must first set your maximum amps on the machine. My recommendation would be the E309 or E309L. If you do not have those, experienced welders or the internet can also provide charts and recommendations for starting settings. Many TIG welders have the option to turn the foot pedal/finger control on or off, so be sure you set it correctly ahead of time. So, the electrode used must have the right diameter. Generally speaking, though, going with some commonly available diameters will make your welding project more affordable since you can reuse the electrodes for other projects. If you apply excess heat, stainless steel can warp, or it may even distort as it cools. Wear proper welding protective eye wear and work in a well ventilated area to prevent fumes and gas build-up. Plug your welder into a 220V outlet and then plug in your ground cord and welder electrode holder cord into the welder. Im guessing 308L or 316L based on your article. Hi Des Would you agree? Im welding stainless firplace. You need to replace the filler rod now and then, meaning long welds will have stops and starts. One can observe this, for example, in the kitchen or other stainless steel appliances that have some deeper scratches and are exposed to water. But when it comes to welding it, things can get complicated. Cheers Graham, Is stick welding stainless more prone to cracking from heat stress then other processes. However, you will need a different, more expensive shielding gas since the oxygen levels SS can tolerate are lower than mild steel. Gaps of variations in the joint width require excess filler material, which adds more heat to the weld. Consult your welders manual or settings chart for a good starting point. How to Weld Sheet Metal or Thin Stock (For Beginners), Beginners Guide: MIG Welding Aluminum (with Charts). Tig would be the perfect choice but don't have access to one, never used one and don't no anyone with one.. Not really.

In general, you dont want to move too slow. Thanks Graham. Cheers Graham, I would like to weld a few different sized campfire grates in my home garage for hiking and camping. Hope that helps To prevent this from happening, you can do a few things. After setting up your welder for stainless steel, you now need to prepare the metal before welding. And around 3 meters length in total.piping Thanks Graham for your easy, to the point explanation. You will need Rods/Wire that at least matches the grade of Stainless youll be using. Consult your welders manual and/or welding settings chart to set your amperage and voltage levels. As already stated, SS is sensitive to reactive gasses, and that means it requires a good blanket to prevent weld contamination. Dissimilar metals can be welded together, including stainless steel. Will welds crack if 308 stainless filler rod is used to weld 316 stainless material? If food is going to be coming into contact with the grates, youll need to use 316 material and 316 rods/wire, if no food contact, 304 material and 308 rods/wire will be fine. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. No exceptions, so be meticulous.

First, be sure to provide a good blanket of shielding gas. Im guessing its too late now, but 225amps should be loads of power for 18g Stainless. Hi Benjamin Thanks. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Welding Equipment & Welding Supplies since 1993. 316 is Food Grade Stainless Steel, so you should not use 308 filler if the job is going into a food environment. If you state roughly your location, maybe there is someone on here nearby who could tig it for you. The manufacturers usually apply the correct flux coating to the SS alloy used to make the stick. I was looking out for options to weld ss316 bare cable 240sq. Spoiler, you can learn to weld it if you have the right knowledge and enough practice. You dont have to constantly swap in new electrodes/filler rods as you must with TIG and stick welders. Looking to have stainless steel bar drilled and a high tensile bolt inserted then welded together. But with SS, you need to keep the amps down. Compared to mild steel, this is achieved by alloy elements that are added to the steel, mainly chromium. Also, if your welder has a pulse setting, use it. While wind can be a problem, these wires handle out-of-position welds better. Here are some things you should prepare. Tap the electrode on the steel until it strikes an arc and begin to weave the electrode stick from side to side and always keep the arc a half a centimeter or less away from the piece of steel you are welding. so i could get away with 308l for all the joins? What is It Used For? You must log in or register to reply here. You must also pay attention to the tungsten electrode type. Stainless steel is sensitive to atmospheric gasses, and a tri-mix of 90% helium, 7.5% argon, and 2.5% carbon dioxide is popular. Regards Graham. Welding stainless steel requires a special electrode. For example, MIG welders are better on long welds. This profile helps with the fit-up, but it also allows you to make stronger, better-looking welds, too. 304/304L This is the most common general purpose Stainless Steel and is welded with one of the 308 spec Welding Rods or Wires. On stainless work, that can be a problem. The gear needed to weld SS will not be that different from welding other metals. Cheers Graham. While that was the short answer, I have added some details and pieces of knowledge to help you create successful stainless steel to mild steel joint with stick welding. These would be my recommended steps to be sure you have mild steel: The main property of stainless steel is its corrosion resistance. Best of luck with your project! Cheers Graham, Good day sir!we would like to inquire regarding the possible use of 308 stainless welding rod in replacement of 316 stainless welding for use of palm rudder strut post of ship/vessel.Based on the palm rudder nameplate,316 was indicated to be used.pls let us know.thanks, Hi Jhoel I could write a book on all the different types of Stainless Steel, but for the purposes of this article Ill stick with just the main two Austinetic Stainless Steels that most of us are likely to encounter. Many new welders are surprised to learn that you can use several different welding processes to join stainless steel (SS), including TIG, MIG, flux-cored, and stick. Make sure all surfaces are cleaned. The manual and setting chart for your unit should provide the necessary wire feed speeds for SS alloys at various thicknesses. 304 and 316 Stainless Steels can both be welded with 316 filler wire. Versatile electrode designed to weld several types of austenitic steels.

This layer protects the main element of stainless steel, iron, from direct contact with oxygen. As I was looking for more affordable options to stick weld dual-material joints with stainless steel, I came across this question. Another advantage to flux-cored welding, you can use it in windy conditions. Stainless Steel is more prone to distortion. Cheers However, hydrogen should not be used when welding martensitic, ferritic, or duplex grades. Trimming your wire is probably a good tip for your MIG welds, too, to ensure proper stick out and a clean tip. These modifications are indicated in the basic spec number, for example, the most common is 308L & 316L, the L denotes Low Carbon. 2006 - 2022 WeldGuru.com - All rights reserved. But SS is different than carbon steel, and it is necessary for many jobs. Fast weld travel: The weld will turn out extra ropey, and the weld bead will be too narrow. Electrode size makes a difference in a TIG welder.

In some cases, nitrogen (N2) and hydrogen (H2) are added to achieve special properties. In industrial or construction applications, appearance may not be a high priority. You MUST use the right filler material, shielding gas, settings, etc., for each alloy. Disclaimer: Weldguru.com is based on information from multiple sources including U.S. Army Operator Circulars, O.S.H.A and our own first hand experience with welding. This setup will usually give you the best deposition rates. It has become a bit of a pet project, as I want to learn more about the details about welding. SS normally requires a lower amperage setting due to a higher WFS. This term refers to the important fact that stainless steel can only resist corrosion while still be able to rust. Stainless Steel can be welded with a Tig Welder, Mig Welder, or Stick Welder so lets look at the pros & cons of each. Also, be sure to set your flow rate properly. Which size you need depends on variables like polarity, amperage, joint size, base metal thickness. Third, this will sound repetitive by now, but keep your heat down. Stick electrodes are sold in various SS alloys with various flux coatings. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MIG-WELDI832?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2a32b33940. The pipes are impact tested at room temperature. Plus, the weld looks better if the bead width is consistent. Some even think it is too hard to weld stainless unless you have decades of experience. That will create excess heat in the stainless steel. Your email address will not be published. But like all welding, anyone can learn with enough practice. You are using an out of date browser. Too many assume TIG welding is the only process that welds SS. Not a minor detail; you must choose the right shielding gas and set the proper flow rates. I have a much loved 316 stainless steel stove top kettle with 2 pinholes in the base from being left on a live gas ring. Welding stainless steel presents a challenge for inexperienced welders as it retains heat efficiently. Be sure to set up the best amp control for the particular weld on your machine. So, they are usually the right tool when the finished piece must be aesthetically pleasing. Also, geometry matters. The water-soaked out of the atmosphere into the flux will lead to porosity and hydrogen inclusions in the weld. So, stainless has a lot going for it. It is not a replacement for manufacturers directions and is only to provide reminders for experienced welders. Fine heat control helps to minimize warping in a stainless steel piece. If the added cost of MIG welding SS is an issue, flux-cored welding allows you to use less expensive CO2 or even no shielding gas. So, you need to allow for this on any joint over one or two inches long. If you dont trim every time, you can get a silicon blob at the tip of your wire that can mess up your start. So, you may want to have some anti-spatter gel or spray on hand to prep the workpiece before welding. The bottom line, welding dissimilar metals is a risk. Your welder should be set up for a direct current electrode positive (DCEP) arrangement. In the case of mild steel, grinding the dark protective layer is optional for. Applications for stainless steel are everywhere where high standards in cleanliness have to be kept, for example, kitchens, pharmaceutical or food production, and aerospace. This advice works, in general, all FCAW or stick welding. Many SS flux-cored wires do require gas. 316/316L This grade is most commonly found in food related applications, industrial kitchen equipment for example and is welded with one of the 316 spec Welding Rods or Wires. Statight forward especially for a starter like myself. Another term for mild steel is low carbon steel, which refers to the alloy composite. If you intend to weld more volume, this might be the right choice for you. Both diameters are easy to source for stainless steel rods. Argoshield will cover everything you want to mig steel wise afaik. Please let me know what you thought of this article by leaving a comment. Stainless steel warps when exposed to excess heat. Top content here easy, informative, answers questions before I need to ask them. With thicker pieces, the edges will need to be beveled or chamfered. Here are some key points to look out for: Join my weekly newsletter and receive helpful tips, tools, and theories about welding and joining. It can contaminate the weld, and yep rust. But it will likely be limited to flat and horizontal work. A bit about myself: I am a certified international welding engineer (IWE) who worked in different welding projects for TIG, MIG, MAG, and Resistance Spot welding. Electrodes, once open, have a shelf live. So, you typically do not need to check on it. i only have 6 joints to weld all 2" in diameter but strength and crack prevention is a must so i think ill go with stick welding. Plus, you do need to use an expensive shielding gas. welderpaul what would you say i would be better with doing? We mentioned that near the beginning of this article. Thanks! Stick welding is much more forgiving than other welding processes; however, inclusions and impurities are often caused by dirty surfaces. Glad you found the article and our website useful. Not sure what the best out of those gasses would be, when i asked about it not long ago i was told to avoid argon mix and go for something like stainshield or argoshield, I'm just trying to find somewhere local i could get something like stainshield or argoshield without a contract :/ proving difficult.

Thanks for the comment, glad you found the article useful. You might be seeing a pattern here, but the selection of your filler material matters in every welding process. Reactive gasses in the air can cause all kinds of problems, including rust. The SS alloy and thickness will be two important variables when selecting a flux-cored wire, but the flux core composition can also vary. Flow rates are normally 35 to 50 cubic feet per hour but consult the recommendations for your machine and other commonly available charts and sources. If your welder has it, the ability to tweak the heat, or amps, as you weld helps to minimize excess heat and the resulting warping in the SS. 10 Tips for Welding Stainless Steel Successfully, Duty Cycle in Welding Explained (with Chart). The arc characteristics of the MIG process are markedly different from the TIG process, and pure Ar or He would negatively impact the efficiency of the MIG arc. If you are using a more specialised Stainless Steel, it would be wise to look up the recommended welding procedure before welding. Regards Graham. By dragging the electrode, youre allowing the flux to rise to the top of the weld pool and properly cover the bead. But since the wires core mixture contains flux, you will have to deal with the slag, especially when doing multiple passes. If the electrode tapers more than 2.5 times its diameter, the arc starts to fan out, resulting in less penetration and a larger HAZ. It is essential to use the correct electrode. Thanks for the comment Matt, much appreciated.

But with stick welding, you may want to try a much steeper angle. What Metals Can You Weld To Stainless Steel? Carbon increases the resistance against intergranular corrosion. But for other jobs, the foot pedal may be a more comfortable setup. The link is only valid for 60 minutes. Thanks for your pleasant and informative site. With 300 series Stainless Steels, you should always weld a part with a rod that is the same grade, or higher. Designed for joining stainless steel to mild or low alloy steel. While welding stainless steel to a dissimilar metal like mild steel changes nothing on the stick welding process or welder setup compared to joining similar materials, the most crucial factor for a successful joint is the electrode choice. But if you are welding dissimilar metals or other unusual joints, you may want to note the flux mixture on the electrode, too. If the metal is very thin, consider taking the kettle to a pro for Tig Welding, will cost more, but would be safest option to keep the much loved kettle going. When your only tool is a hammer, every job looks like a nail Not to poo poo your plans, but if the 3mm is for the flanges, I dare say it's no where near thick enough, 10/12 would be nearer the mark. Once this armor is pierced, stainless steel can rust as well. Tig would allow you to better control the size of build up to minimise distortion. Practice on scrap, i find its easier for me to set the amps for about 95 and then motor on through keeping as tight an arc as you can keep a good rod angle and don't hesitate.

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how to weld stainless steel with arc welder