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.

Tubacex CR lines restart

Spain-based stainless seamless tubemaker Tubacex expects production to restart shortly at two cold rolling lines at its Schoeller-Bleckmann Edelstahlrohr GmbH (SBER) subsidiary in Austria after they were damaged during a fire on 21 December.

SS fountain in Milan

Centro Inox has reported that as part of the renovation of Dateo Square, along the median ring road in the Eastern portion of Milan, Italy, an underground parking facility has been built featuring surface structures that make ample use of EN 1.4301 (AISI 304) stainless steel.

Duplex desalination milestones

Duplex stainless steels have emerged as optimal materials for desalination.

New Fronius website

The Austrian-based company Fronis Co. has launched its newly designed platform for its website, www.fronius.com.

Siena Bridge

Siena, Italy is home to the world’s first major footbridge built from Outokumpu’s LDX 2101® duplex stainless steel.

Barksdale control products

The new UNS-RG40 level switch from Barksdale is designed for versatile applications in shipbuilding and plant engineering.

New DMC staff

DMC Clad Metal Division of Dynamic Materials Corp. has added two technical staff members to their sales team in Boulder, Colorado, USA.

Orbital welding

CMI Enterprise serves the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and chemical industries. The company has also had opportunities to expand its other process equipment and heat exchanger business for the high purity and power generation industries.

Techalloy modifies name

As part of its amalgamation into Central Wire, Techalloy has modified its name, and absorbed the welding products division of its new parent, Central Wire Industries (Perth, Ontario, Canada).

Arc Machines offers upgrade

Arc Machines Inc. (California, USA) has added a number of new features and system upgrades to its Model 307 Tube Welding Power Supply.


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.