Hints for Tig Welding Stainless Steel
Welding stainless steel is more difficult than welding ordinary carbon steel. This material contains a higher percentage of chromium and nickel than regular steel. These other metals prevent rust, but can also cause welding trouble. TIG welding, also called heliarc welding and gas tungsten arc welding, produces a clean, precise weld in stainless steel, making it an excellent choice for this material. Does this Spark an idea?
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Identify Steel Type
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Not all stainless steel is the same. All stainless steel contains at least 12 percent chromium by weight, but can contain significantly more, as well as some quantity of nickel. Most kinds of stainless steel, including the very common 300 series (about 18 percent chromium), do not heat harden. Some kinds, however, require periodic stress relief during welding, since welding temperatures can make them hot and brittle. Stainless steel objects from the 400 series, at about 12 percent chromium, tend to need this extra care. Knowing steel type before you start welding can prevent problems later on.
Use a Gas Lens
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Gas lenses are a special type of collet body, or welding tip, which increase gas coverage around the area to be welded. This decreases turbulence in the envelope of gas, preventing uneven spots or other problems with the weld. Gas lenses work for welding all kinds of materials, but are particularly useful for welding stainless steel since they allow welders to expose more of the machine's tungsten electrode and create a deeper, stronger join.
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Clean All Surfaces
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It can be tempting to weld stainless steel without much preparation. After all, this material stays rust-free and looks clean and shiny. However, stainless steel can still have chemical residues, oil or other materials on it that might interfere with your weld. Always clean all surfaces thoroughly with a stainless steel wire brush before you begin to weld, even if they look completely clean.
Weld Indoors
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TIG welders rely on an envelope of inert gas, such as argon or helium, to protect the weld. Drafts or high winds can cause this envelope to ripple or even temporarily blow away. Weld indoors whenever possible, and engage in outdoor welding only if you have a shelter or windbreak handy. Loss of shielding leads to pinhole gaps in the weld and a much weaker join.
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References
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