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.

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Orbital welder to reduce costs

Delstron Systems (Burton, UK) have utilised orbital welding equipment from Orbimatic GMBH to help bring down the delivery time of their process systems for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries.

Special Metals relocates

The European facility of Special Metals Welding Products Company Inc. (formerly Inco Alloys International Inc.), located in the UK, moved to a purpose-built marketing, sales, distribution and technical support centre on Monday, 7 July 2003.

Saer introduces submersible pump

Saer has introduced a range of submersible bore hole pumps, XS XNR in AISI 316 investment cast stainless steel.

Lathe welds small, thin wall circular components

Orbimatic has released the Varioturn RS 80-1R precision welding lathe.

Purge monitor solves welding problems

Condaire Inc. (St Louis, Missouri, USA), had problems with the purging of critical stainless steel pipework, with welds oxidising in spite of following correct weld procedures.

Low clearance welding head added to range

Orbimatic GmbH has introduced the M34 weld head to their range of high quality orbital TIG weld heads.

Sandvik upgrades duplex bar

Sandvik Materials Technology has enhanced the machinability of its Sandvik Sanmac grade SAF 2205, duplex stainless steel round bar.

Stainless steel manual

A complete revision of The Design Manual for Structural Stainless Steel has been published.

Welding pulled tees

Orbimatic GmbH, the manufacturer of orbital tube welding equipment, has produced modified collets which fit a standard ORBIWELD fully enclosed weld head range to allow operators to weld a pulled tee with minimal weld neck.

Duplex productivity boost

Ongoing product development, including modifications and refinements to the steel chemistry, have enabled Sandvik Materials Technology to further enhance the machinability of Sandvik Sanmac grade SAF 2205 duplex stainless steel round bar.


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.