Welding

Welding stainless steel

Welding is a fabrication process that joins materials, mostly metals, by using high heat to melt the parts together and allowing them to cool, causing fusion. It is a widely used technique in the fabrication of equipment such as tubes or heat exchangers.

Latest welding news

Below you can find the latest newsitems that involve the topic of welding.

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New superalloys need careful purging during welding

Significant developments recently have resulted in the introduction of new nickel alloys that offer major improvements in mechanical properties. Not least is Inconel 740H1, an alloy offering enhanced resistance to coal ash and therefore of considerable interest to fossil fuel fired boiler manufacturers.

voestalpine Böhler Welding acquires Selco

voestalpine Böhler Welding has acquired a majority stake in the traditional Italian manufacturer for welding machines, Selco s.r.l..

Applications of nickel alloys for piping and valves

Inconel alloys such as Inconel 625, 718 and X750 are widely for piping and valves in the offshore sector. Although these alloys are used widely for both internal and external corrosion resistance, they have different applications such as increasing mechanical strength, reducing friction and galling, facilitating cycling and mitigating fatigue stress.

Polysoude develops communicative power sources

The regulations and standards governing the tube sector demand ever more restricting levels of quality from the manufacturers.

A new process organization at BUTTING in Knesebeck

To continue implementing the endeavor to impress the customers with the quality and reliability of performance in the future, the organizational structure at BUTTING in Knesebeck was changed at the end of last year.

ESAB completes the brand transition to Exaton™

ESAB Welding & Cutting Products recently announced that it has finalized the transition to the Exaton™ brand name for all welding filler metals involved with its 2018 acquisition of Sandvik Welding Consumables.

Nitric acid-free pickling helps keg maker improve quality

Based in Spain, Envases Técnicos Zaragoza S.L. (Entinox), is a leading manufacturer of stainless steel beer barrels/kegs. Henkel has helped it to set up an innovative pickling and passivating line using a nitric acid-free process. Benefits include superior HSE performance and bath life over traditional mixed acid pickling systems as well as outstanding corrosion resistance.

The Duplex Dragon

Deep within the Tarim Basin of Xinjiang, China, pipelines transport natural gas as it is extracted and refined for distribution throughout the country. However, gas leakage has been a recurrent issue as a result of pipeline corrosion. Enter the ‘Pipeline Dragon’: constructed entirely of molybdenum-containing 2205 duplex stainless steel, a new pipeline promises to reduce gas leakage, preventing environmental disaster while conserving resources.

Water delivery efficiency with stainless steel

Stainless steel is playing an important role in delivering effective infrastructure to achieve water savings, securing a sustainable environment and future for irrigation communities in Australia.

Carsten Trentau is new Head of Sales OEM at KEMPER

KEMPER GmbH is intensifying its activities in the OEM sector. As the new Head of Sales OEM, Carsten Trentau is now responsible for the Automation sector at the extraction technology specialist from Germany.


Stainless steel is a popular material in various industries due to its corrosion resistance, durability, and aesthetic appeal. Here are some key points to consider when welding stainless steel:

Choose the appropriate welding process: There are several welding processes suitable for stainless steel, including Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding, Metal Inert Gas (MIG) welding, and Stick welding (Shielded Metal Arc Welding). TIG welding is often preferred for stainless steel due to its precision and ability to produce high-quality welds.

Prepare the materials: Before welding, it’s important to clean the stainless steel surfaces to remove any contaminants, such as oil, grease, or dirt. Use a stainless steel wire brush or a dedicated solvent to clean the area.

Select the appropriate filler material: When welding stainless steel, it’s generally recommended to use a filler metal that matches or is compatible with the base metal. Commonly used filler materials for stainless steel welding include austenitic stainless steel filler rods or wires, such as ER308, ER309, or ER316.

Set the welding parameters: The welding parameters, such as current, voltage, travel speed, and shielding gas flow rate, will depend on the thickness of the stainless steel and the specific welding process being used.

Ensure proper shielding gas: Stainless steel welding typically requires the use of an inert gas, such as argon or a mixture of argon and helium, to create a protective atmosphere around the weld and prevent oxidation. The shielding gas should be supplied continuously and cover the weld pool adequately.

Maintain good joint fit-up and control heat input: Stainless steel has a relatively low thermal conductivity compared to other metals, so it’s essential to control the heat input during welding. Proper joint fit-up, including gap and root opening, helps control distortion and ensures proper fusion.

Post-weld treatment: Stainless steel welds may require post-weld treatment to restore corrosion resistance. This can involve processes such as passivation or pickling, which remove any oxides or contaminants from the welded area. The specific post-weld treatment will depend on the application and the stainless steel grade used.

It’s important to note that welding stainless steel can be complex, and there may be additional considerations depending on the specific application, grade of stainless steel, and welding codes and standards. If you’re not experienced in welding stainless steel, it’s advisable to consult with a professional welder or seek training to ensure proper techniques and safety precautions are followed.