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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Coherent creates a Center of Excellence

Coherent Inc. has significantly expanded its Gilching, Germany micromachining, and sub-system facility, and completed the relocation of the company’s laser marking group from nearby Gunding.

Safer seas with stainless steel

Chemical tankers are specialized ships carrying liquid cargoes that may be environmentally hazardous, flammable or highly reactive. They are designed and operated under special rules, and increasingly have built-in molybdenum-containing stainless steel tanks. Sailing around the world, they transport liquid goods safely over long distances. They also represent a significant market for duplex stainless steels and molybdenum.

A new portable machine for stainless steel branching

The T-DRILL process is a patented method of producing outlets for branch connections directly from the run material. Pipe branching by T-DRILL method is also called collaring, mechanical tee forming or simply T-DRILL tees.

High-precision laser-based measurement

The new laser-based gauge developed by Dango & Dienenthal Umformtechnik measures the internal contour of tubes and pipes contact-free and with the highest precision.

The welding of SAF 2507 steel for nuclear power plants

Most nuclear power plants in the world use sea water as its cooling medium; seawater is the most corrosive medium in the natural environment which are prone to produce pitting for common stainless steel materials.

Induction annealed stainless steel tubes

Schoeller Werk is expanding its inline induction annealing capacities for laser welding. In this way, the specialist for longitudinally welded stainless steel tubes aims to satisfy the continually rising demand for induction annealed stainless steel tubes for supply lines in the industrial and automotive sector.

Secondment to develop welding of new Duplex SS

Following a series of interactions with Nippon Steel and Sumitomo Metal Corp. (NSSMC), TWI is pleased to announce the secondment of Mr Kenta Yamada, at TWI laboratories in Cambridge.

Long distance weld purge monitoring

Often when welding lengths of tubes and pipework fabrications of 20 metres or more, measuring the purge gas might not always be easy.

Cobalt chrome alloy welding wire

Cobalt Alloy wire is an alloy made of metal cobalt. Cobalt alloy is a general name for one or several alloys of cobalt and chromium, tungsten, iron and nickel.

Xiris develops representative network

Xiris Automation Inc., a leader in the creation and manufacturing of welding cameras and weld inspection software, has announced that they have greatly expanded their technical sales representation in North America to better serve their customers.


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.