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.

Sandvik straight heat exchanger tubes

Sandvik has reported that it will maintain an extensive manufacturing programme for straight heat exchanger tubes to ensure availability on short lead times.

Steel company partners with high school

In McMinnville, Oregon, US, a new partnership has been established between Cascade Steel, McMinnville High School, and Chemeketa Community College.

Stainless fabrication workshop

The British Stainless Steel Association (BSAA) in conjunction with TWI and Outokumpu Stainless is holding a fabrication workshop on 21 October 2008 at the Brerarly Centre, Outokumpu, in Sheffield, UK.

Lightweight trailing shield

Huntingdon Fusion Techniques Ltd has introduced a lightweight trailing shield to keep welds clean while welding. These trailing shields are suitable for cases where piping, pipe work and sheet metal structures are fabricated from stainless steels, reactive alloys, nickel alloys, nimonics and titanium

New hard surfacing wires

Hobart Brothers McKay, headquarted in Troy, Ohio has released VertiWear 600 and VertiWear AP hard surfacing wires.

BUTTING supplies fusion plant

Wendelstein 7-X, the largest fusion experiment in the world of the stellarator type, is at present under construction in Greifswald at the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics and is to be completed by 2014.

HFT sales hit all time high

Sales of Huntingdon Fusion Techniques Ltd’s (HFT) Tungsten Electrode Grinders have hit an all time high. Mike Dunn, Marketing Manager for the company reported that orders were received from all corners of the world, as customers became more aware of the advantages of this workshop tool and took advantage of its many features and benefits.

Sumitomo 347AP

Austenitic stainless steels such as TP321 and TP347 are widely used to make equipment for use in desulferizing plants in the petroleum refinery industry.

Titanium brazing without welding

The United States Army’s research laboratory has discovered a method of brazing titanium so as to fabricate structures without welding.

Stoody introduces 300 series wire

Stoody® Co., a manufacturer of hardfacing and joining welding electrodes, has introduced the new Stoody® 300 Series stainless steel flux cored wire.


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.