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.

Viking™ Auto-darkening welding helmets line

Lincoln Electric has added a second series to its Viking™ auto-darkening welding helmets.

SMart BEAM™ H-Beam held in high acclaim

Sumitomo Metal Industries Ltd's SMart BEAM™ lightweight welded H-beam has been highly acclaimed for its lightweight merits.

Heat resistant TD305B stainless steel

Taigang Stainless Steel has recently succeeded in developing heat resistant TD305B stainless steel.

Langley Alloys acquires

Langley Alloys (North Staffordshire, England) has announced the acquisition for an undisclosed sum of National Metal Distributors Inc. (NMD), based in Vancouver, Washington State, USA.

Tailored blank facility

Sumitomo Metal Industries Ltd has introduced a tailored welded blank facility at SSC Kyushu Co Ltd, a coil centre based in the Kyushu region that Sumitomo Metals operates in cooperation with Kanpoh Steel Co. Ltd, Sumitomo Corp. and Sumikin Bussan Corp.

Tailored blank facility introduced at SSC Kyushu

Sumitomo Metal Industries Ltd has introduced a tailored welded blank facility at SSC Kyushu Co. Ltd (location: Fukuoka; hereinafter KSSC), a coil center based in the Kyushu region that Sumitomo Metals operates in cooperation with Kanpoh Steel Co. Ltd, Sumitomo Corp., and Sumikin Bussan Corp.

Outokumpu aids solar plant

The Gemasolar Concentrating Solar Power plant, under construction by Torresol Energy in Sevilla, Spain, with help from Outokumpu, features technological breakthroughs in solar heat reception and storage systems.

BUTTING parts for nuclear reactor

BUTTING will be playing a part in the construction of Wendelstein 7-X, the world’s largest experiment in nuclear fusion of the stellarator type, currently being constructed at the Max-Planck Institute for Plasma Physics in Greifswald, Germany and should be completed by 2014.

So far so good for Wire and Tube 2010

Even though the global economic situation is not in a good position, the world’s leading trade fairs, wire and Tube are defying the global economic situation and recording consistently good registration figures.

Stalatube acquires

Stalatube Oy has announced that it has acquired the Pietarsaari square tube production of Outokumpu Oyj.


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.