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.

If you wish to include your news release on our website and email newsletter, please feel free to contact the editor.

LE host pipeline welding seminar

Lincoln Electric will host a free pipeline welding seminar for contractors and professionals in the pipeline industry from 20 March to 31 March, 2011. Located at the company's Cleveland, Ohio, headquarters, the in-depth session will discuss the growing demand in energy markets

Weldability develops rod for cast iron welding

Sif Super Silicon No 9 is a new welding rod in the Sifbronze range for oxy-acetylene welding of cast iron, developed by Weldability-SIF. Designed for full fusion welding, the rod provides a machined high-strength weld metal and a good color match with the same structure as grey cast iron.

Arcos offers stainless electrodes

Arcos Industries LLC offers two stainless steel electrodes that are specifically designed to provide superior crack resistance when welding dissimilar steels.

GKN wins titanium thrust-links welding contract

GKN Aerospace received a multi year contract to create lightweight titanium thrust links for the Boeing 747-8 and both engine variants of the Boeing 787.

Zhejiang Dada to open stainless pipe plant

Zhejiang Dada Stainless Steel will test their new stainless welded pipe plant beginning in June 2011.

TIP TIG offers new weld process

TIP TIG’s weld process, developed in Austria, offers several weld quality, productivity, and cost benefits. The process offers less weld rework when compared to traditional TIG – SAW – FCAW and Pulsed MIG used on code quality welds, providing consistent manual and automated weld quality.

Kobe Steel Group opens Kobe Welding

Kobe Welding of Shanghai Co., Ltd. (KWSH) has officially opened its facility in Shanghai, China. KWSH offers welding consumables, welding robot systems and parts, and maintenance services.

Congratulations Nicole!

SSW’s Nicole Nagel has just passed a “Basic Course in Stainless Steels”, organized by the Dutch Steel Federation.

LE’s New VIKING™ Helmets

Lincoln Electric’s VIKING™ auto-darkening helmet line has been updated with two new series of helmets. The 1840 series features a 1.8in viewing area height in a compact DINS-sized lens cartridge and the 2450 series features a 2.4in viewing area height in a U.S. standard 4.5in x 5.25in sized lens cartridge.

Mullarkey new president of United Spiral Pipe

Patrick J. Mullarkey has been named President of United Spiral Pipe LLC, a spiral welded tubular products manufacturing JV between POSCO, United States Steel Corporation and SeAH Steel Corporation.


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.