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.

Overlay welding strip

Sandvik has introduced a new welding strip titled Sandvik 24.29.5.Lcu, for overlay welding. Suitable for oil and gas applications, such as pipe and tube, heat exchangers as well as chemical plant and vessel repair.

MIG/MAG welders launched

Wilkinson Star has launched two new industrial MIG/MAG welders - Redstar 350 and Redstar 450.

New stainless steel grade TTS443

China-based Taiyuan Iron & Steel Group (Tisco) has developed a new grade of stainless steel titled TTS443 and has already achieved sales totaling 3000tns in a short period of time.

MARAFIQ desalination plant

The MARAFIQ desalination plant in Saudi Arabia, built by SIDEM of France, uses 10,000tns of duplex stainless steel in grades SAF 2304® and 2205 from Outokumpu, out of a total quantity of 16,500tns for the plant.

RA 253 MA® Bar products

Rolled Alloys is now inventorying RA 253 MA® round bar products in 5/8â€? through 3-1/2â€? diameter.

Tregaskiss appoints new staff

Tregaskiss (Windsor, Ontario, Canada ) is pleased to announce the hiring of Glen Borders as New Strategic Accounts Manager and Donna Assef as Customs Logistics Specialist.

Kloster expands

Outokumpu’s thin strip Kloster (Långshyttan, Sweden) is expanding capacity by half and will also broadened its product range. Kloster’s second Supplier of the Year...

Stellite® Alloys turns 100

Deloro Stellite, a long time provider of wear resistant products to most industries, is celebrating the 100 year anniversary of Stellite alloys (1907 - 2007).

Colombia reduces SS imports duties

Colombia has cut import duties on some stainless products. Import duties have been cut to zero for electrical appliance related stainless steel products, including flat products from 0.5mm to 1mm in thickness, stainless flat products thinner than 0.5mm and wider than 600mm and welding wire.

SS fabrication workshops

Building on the success of earlier stainless steel fabrication workshops, the next in the series takes place on 6 March 2007 at Doosan Babcock Energy, Renfrew, UK.


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.