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.

Superior Technologies Europe Ltd

Recently established, Superior Technologies Europe Ltd is offering a wide range of HF welding consumables for the tube & pipe manufacturing industry.

New welder from Lincoln

Lincoln Electric Company has introduced a the new Ranger GXT, a 250-amp AC / DC welder.

Stainless steel water gates

A total of 520 tonnes of stainless steel were used in this wastewater treatment project in Alabama, USA, according to an article by Carroll McCormick in Nickel Magazine, July 2004.

Improved stainless welding

Esab has supplied equipment for welding stainless steel to a UK tanker manufacturer.

Battle against corrosion

As part of the annual conference of NACE International held in New Orleans, nine corrosion specialists recently presented their views on the technical challenges facing the global chemical process industry.

Titanium purge monitor

The latest Titanium Purge Monitor from HFT (Huntingdon Fusion Techniques) incorporates a universal cut-off feature for interlocking with automatic or manual TIG/GTAW welding equipment.

Weld seam detector for tubes

The new Weld Seam Detector SND40 made by Roland Electronic features a combination of magnetic flux leakage and eddy current technology.

Preventing unseen weld failures

The latest Titanium Purge Monitor from HFT (Huntingdon Fusion Techniques Ltd) incorporates a universal cut-off feature for interlocking with automatic or manual TIG/GTAW welding equipment.

Orbital welding power supply

Orbimatic GmbH, the manufacturer of orbital tube welding equipment, has produced an ORBIMAT 160CR, a Cleanroom model of its ORBIMAT 160C Orbital Welding Power Supply.

Norway: Technip wins Norne contract

Technip announces that Technip Offshore Norge AS, its Norwegian affiliate, has been awarded by Statoil a contract related to the subsea portion of the Norne Satellites Project in the Norwegian part of the North Sea.


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.