Welding Electrodes GYS 082335 10 Welding Electrodes 2.5mm 316L Stainless Steel (Blister Pack)
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Welding Electrodes GYS 082335 10 Welding Electrodes 2.5mm 316L Stainless Steel (Blister Pack)
- Brand: Unbranded
Description
In this article, we draw on the expertise of the R-Tech team to assemble a selection of tips and advice relating to three common methods for welding stainless steel: MIG welding; TIG welding; and manual metal arc welding (MMA). Which is best for welding stainless steel? Choosing the best process really does come down to the specifics of the task – and the qualities required from the finished weld. If cost is the key factor it could be MMA; but for precision with thin materials, it’s probably going to be TIG. Let’s explore the three processes. But first, here’s an important reminder about safety when welding stainless steel. Is welding stainless steel harmful to your health? Consider pulse welding thinner stainless steel. Welding the face of a plate can be very different to welding, say, the edge of the same piece. When TIG welding stainless steel, pulse welding helps reduce distortion by minimising the heat going into the weld – while simultaneously optimising penetration. If this is a consideration, make sure your TIG welding machine has pulse welding capability. All R-Tech TIG machines do – covering the range 0.5–50 Hz. Think about staggering your stainless steel welds to mitigate the risk of heat distortion caused by the material’s thermal properties.’ What gas do you use for MIG welding stainless steel?
For TIG welding stainless steel, you can use a DC-only machine or AC/DC TIG welding machinesin DC-mode. Importantly, make sure your machine has sufficient power to weld stainless steel. Whether you’re unsure about your existing machine’s capability, or buying a machine for stainless steel welding, ask the machine’s supplier for help – including advice on TIG welding stainless steel settings.
As well as the vulnerability of stainless steel to ferrous contamination, you need to ensure that your working area is free from iron or steel dust, or any ferrous oxides. This may sound trivial, but it’s vital. Cleanliness of materials and workspaces is always important for good welding. With stainless steel, avoiding even the tiniest particulate contamination is critical. Again, yes you can. Firstly, as with any welding process, make sure your MIG welding machineis set up correctly for welding stainless steel. Yet again, cleanliness is everything when you TIG weld stainless steel. Clean the workspace and material thoroughly. As with MIG, if it’s dirty, use a stainless-steel wire brush that’s only used for stainless steel. And if it’s oily, always degrease it thoroughly. Because of the risk of ferrous contamination, you can’t be too clean or too careful.
Get your TIG torch set-up for stainless. In particular, make sure the torch has the appropriate duty cycle for the amperage being run. Never cut corners; if the torch isn’t up to the task, invest in one that is. Just as for TIG welding aluminium, control is everything. For optimum control and precision, use a TIG foot pedalor a TIG torchwith variable amperage control. Don’t overlook all-important torch consumables either. Paying attention to having the appropriate gas cup, selecting your tungsten type correctly, and getting the electrode diameter just right are vital. Because stainless steel benefits from generous gas coverage, use a slightly larger diameter gas cup than usual. Better still, fit a gas lens (such as the TIG Zone eVo-FLO cover kit) to boost gas flow over the weld, keep it cool and provide extra shielding for the weld pool. Next comes that old favourite: correct wire type and diameter. As ever this is project specific, so seek advice. The short answer is that stainless steel welding comes with potentially severe health risks – not least from Cadmium and Chromium (Vi) fume. Suitable safety measures, including local exhaust ventilation (LEV) and welders’ personal protective equipment (PPE) such as air-fed welding masksare therefore essential. MIG welding stainless steel Can you MIG weld stainless steel?Whether it’s MIG, TIG or MMA welding of stainless steel, your work will benefit from consistent application of helpful tips such as the ones above. Add quality consumables and (as appropriate) some well-chosen accessories, then practise, practise, practise. You’ll soon be on your way to mastering stainless steel welding. If you’re a professional who’s already there, you know what we mean. Let’s talk stainless steel welding Having mastered the basics of welding stainless steel, perhaps you’ll extend your skills to the special challenges of welding stainless to mild steel (carbon steel) – or even more specialised applications.
- Fruugo ID: 258392218-563234582
- EAN: 764486781913
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