Stainless Steel Welding Tips and Techniques
28 April 2020Welding is a process of joining metals together by using high heat. The metal parts will be melted together and then subsequently cooled for the fusion process. A filler material is added to the welded materials to effectively bond them together as it prevents extraneous elements from entering the bead. It also provides additional material to fill the gap between the welded materials.
One of the materials that are being subjected to welding is stainless steel. It is a popular construction material due to its durability and resistance to corrosion. Welding stainless steel can be difficult since they can retain heat very efficiently. One wrong welding element and you will end up having a product that is either warped or distorted. Even blemishes and scratch marks may occur when you weld them improperly. For a great stainless steel welding, just follow these tips and techniques.
Use the Right Tungsten Rod
Tungsten rods varies depending on their composition. However, the only factor that you must consider is their diameter. One tip in choosing your tungsten rod diameter is to look out for the weight of your stainless steel. Welding heavy stainless steel means that you need to use a tungsten rod with a big diameter. Alternatively, welding lighter stainless steel equates to a smaller tungsten rod diameter.
Choose the Correct Filler Wire
Your filler wire must be appropriate with your welding process. Make sure that the material of your filler wire must be equal or greater in strength and quality of the stainless steel you are welding. The size of your filler wire must also fit the type of your welding application. Through trial and error on a practice section, you can easily find the correct filler wire size for your welding activity.
Use a Clean Sharp Tungsten Tip
Welding typically involves stainless steel products and filler material. When the tungsten tip touches the filler rod, a blob melts onto it, which can make your tungsten tip dirty. Having a dirty tip may not only get your arc distorted but also let you lose a huge amount of control over your aim. So, always use a clean sharp tungsten tip whenever you are welding so that your arc will be more accurate.
Clean your Stainless Steel Parts
All your stainless steel parts, including the welding joints, must be cleaned first before the welding process begins. Without cleaning, your weld might bubble, which adds weakness to the material and hinders the fluid motion your pass needs for a clean bead. Cleaning your stainless steel parts can be done by wiping them with a clean rag. Acetone or other thinners can also be used in cleaning them.
Increase Coverage of Gas
One important element in stainless steel welding is your gas coverage. If any air gets into your welded material, your bead may have impurities. The presence of air also changes the colour of your stainless steel parts. But if you use more gas, your welding material will have a cleaner and tidier look. Using a wider cup can also help you produce more gas that can be useful for your weld.
Weld with Enough Amperage
Welding with enough amperage can help you produce great welded material. With the right amperage, your welds must not blow through or cause undercut while traveling as fast as you can. In general, your welder must run at 10% less than one amp per 0.001 inches of stainless steel and then travel fast enough to match the heat.
By following these welding tips and techniques, you are guaranteed to obtain high-quality welded parts out of stainless steel. For more information about welding stainless steel, just give us a call at Sureweld Engineering. We cover all aspects of welding and fabrication in mild steel, aluminium, stainless steel, truck and heavy machinery repairs, maintenance, and refinishing, onsite welding service and certified coded welding.
