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.

Stolt wins Nigeria contract

Stolt Offshore SA has won a contract from ExxonMobil’s Nigeria subsidiary for the flowlines and risers on the Erha field offshore Nigeria in a water depth of 1200 metres.

Padana Tubes goes global

The general Manager of Padana Tubi SpA Inox Division (Guastalla, northern Italy), mr Simone Sartini, has announced that the company plans to increase production by 40%, with annual turnover to reach USD 500 million by 2004.

Supermartensitic Stainless Steels 2002

Given the attention supermartensitic stainless steels have attracted in the past five years, it was not surprising that Supermartensitic Stainless Steels 2002, the second conference solely dedicated to supermartensitics, was well visited.

New welding specs

The American Welding Society (AWS) has just issued 13 revised Standard Welding Procedure Specifications (SWPS) for welding of 10 through 18 gauge galvanised steel, carbon steel and austenitic stainless steel sheet metal, in the as-welded condition, with or without backing.

Global concept

Axxair has introduced its Global Concept, a system that can both cut and weld thin stainless steel tubes in pre-fab, on site or in the workshop.

New plasma-cutting process

The French company SAF (Air Liquide Welding group) has presented a plasma-cutting process evolution called DUALGAZ.

Sandvik Steel UK merges with RGB

AB Sandvik Steel (Sweden) has announced that it is to merge Sandvik Steel UK and RGB Stainless Ltd.

Forth Welding & Cladding Services

Scottish company Forth Tool & Valve Ltd (FTV) has re-entered the weld cladding industry with the recent opening of Forth Welding & Cladding Services (FWC).

Joints in high-temperature alloys

A one-day meeting is to be held at the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) on 20 November 2002.

Titanium seminar

The TIG will be holding a one-day seminar entitled "So you want to make it in titanium?" at Austincourt, Birmingham, UK, on 16 October 2002.


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.