Stainless Steels:

Filler Metal Descriptions

and Welding Data:

STAINLESS GAS FACT: The biggest selling gas mix in

North America for MIG, stainless sheet metal
applications, is a tri-mix containing argon - helium and
CO2. The weld reality. For most gage stainless
applications, the tri-mix provides more disadvantages
than benefits in contrast to a less costly two part mix,
argon with 2 - 4% CO2.

Stainless Steel "MIG Gas Reality"

Fifteen years ago while working with AGA, a Swedish
Industrial gas manufacturer located in Ohio I carried out
extensive, stainless MIG gas research. I found out a
remarkable gas fact. If you take the helium out of the helium
tri-mix developed for stainless short circuit applications, you
achieve remarkable advantages for thin gage stainless. From

this research I developed an optimum gas mix for both short

circuit and spray transfer stainless steels. Argon with 2- 4 %
CO2.
STAINLESS SPRAY APPLICATIONS >0.080:
For many years I have been advising the stainless
manufacturing companies I dealt with to use argon with 2 - 4%
CO2. This mix is superior to argon oxygen mixes for stainless
MIG spray or pulsed applications. In contrast to an argon
oxygen mix, an argon 2 - 4 % CO2 mix results in cleaner, (less
oxidized) welds on stainless applications > 5 mm, this is very
beneficial on multipass welds, welds in which porosity is a
concern, or welds in which the cosmetic appearence is
important.
With the argon - CO2 mix, you can expect cleaner welds and
welds with less weld porosity, also the carbon pickup of this
gas mix will not impact low carbon steel stainless
consumables.
STAINLESS SHORT CIRCUIT APPLICATIONS <0.080:
For more than two decades I have been advising weld shop
managers to forget the common, costly 90% helium - 7.5 argon
- 2.5 CO2 tri mix. Weld shops would benefit from the more
effective argon 2- 4% CO2 mix for those "thin gage" stainless
short circuit applications. In contrast to the higher energy
(higher voltage required) helium tri-mix, the lower cost, 2
component argon CO2 mix will reduce;
weld burn through,
weld distortion,
weld oxidation,
For comprehensive MIG gas data visit MIG data and read my
books which take the salesmanship out of MIG gas mixes.

In the last two decades MIG gas technology

has been hindered by MIG gas
"salesmanship.

WHAT IS STAINLESS?
STAINLESS COMES IN MANY FORMS IT CAN BE
A LOW COST
METAL WITH A LITTLE CHROME A LOT OF IRON.

Austenitic Martensenitic and Ferritic.

Austenitic Stainless Steels are the ones we are most familer
with. These chrome nickel steels, in contrast to the lower cost
stainless have more alloys and are "non magnetic" Exception,
types 310 - 330
Austenitic steels. Grades 20-202-205-301-302-303-304-305-308-

309-310-314-316-317-321-329-330-347-389-17 7PH- 17 4PHPH15-7Mo-AM 350-AM 355 A 286.

304 (S30400) - 304L (S30403) - 316 (31600) - 316L (S31603) 347 (34700)
Austenitic Facts: Austenitic grades typically 18% chrome
8%nickel (18/8) .
Grades 301-302-304-305-308 usually welded with E308
18/8 grades used for machine parts exterior buildings and
industrial parts.
18/8 not to exceed 800F 426C service temperature.
Manganese grades of stainless "200" series similar to 18/8
grades. Manganese in this series is used for "extra strength"
Welding the manganese grades usually use the E308L filler.|
Martensitic and Ferritic are commom grades that we dont want
to weld and if we do we weld with great caution.

Note when welding these grades the weld procedure focus will
be on HEAT treat

STAINLESS INTERNATIONAL WIRE SPECS

US AWS A5.9 / UK BS2901 / Japan JIS Z3321/ ISO

3581/ Germany DIN 8555 - 8556
UNS International filler metal numbers start with
WXXXXX

TYPICA
L
STAINL

ESS
FILLER
METAL
S
Stainless Filler Metal Information:
Stainless International
Manufactures
Applications
Chemistry
Filler
Specs
designations

Germany SG C 0.08
X5 Cr Ni 19.9 Mn 1 - 2.5
Electrode
Si 0.25-0.6
ISO 23.12
E308
Ni 9-11
Cr 19.5-22
UNS W30940
Germany SG
C 0.03
Electrode X2 Cr Ni 19.9
Mn 1 - 2.5
E308L
Si 0.25-0.6
(low
ISO 119.9L
Ni 9-11
carbon)
Cr 19.5-22
UNS W30843

ESAB -OK
16.10
Thyssen -JE
Sandvik 19.9L

ESAB- OK
16.12
Thyssen - JESi
Sandvik
19.9LSi
Filarc PZ6061/6561
TREFIL
2PPSG

Electrode
308LSi

Germany SG
X12 Cr Ni
Electrode 22.12
309
ISO 23.12

Thyssen-Therm
J
Kobe-MGS
Lincoln L18.8
Pacweld PW176SS
Sanvik 19.9

C 0.012
Mn 1 - 2.5
Si 0.25-0.6
Ni 12-14
Cr 23-25

ESAB- OK
16.53
Sandvik- 24.13
Thyssen Therm 25.14

E308 is
typically
used when
the
corrosive
conditions
are not
severe
Note (L)
the lower
carbon to
avert
carbide
precipitation
Note Si or
HiSi The high
silicon
increases the
arc stability
and the weld
wetting, which
is important
for the low
amp, sluggish,
short circuit
welds
Used fir
welding 309
and austenitic
to ferritic
(carbon) steels

UNS W30940

Electrode
309L

Electrode
310H

Electrode
310

Germany SG
X12
CrNi 25.20
ISO 25.20

C 0.03
Mn 1 - 2.5
SI 0.25-0.6
Ni 12-14
Cr 23-25

Used for weld

overlay
applications or
butter passes.

C 0.10 0.12
Cr 26
Ni 22

(H) Has
minimum
carbon content
lower carbon
can cause
micro
cracking
causing tensile
reductions

C 0.08-0.15
Mn 1 - 2.5
Si 0.25-0.6
Ni 20-22.5
Cr 25-28

To weld 310
and 304 clad
and stainless
overlay

UNS W31040
For low or high temp, corrosive or
any critical applications always
confirm electrode choice with wire
manufacturer.
Using ELC ensure weld gas has less
than 3% CO2.
A low co2 mix is less oxidizing than a
low oxygen mix.
For l;ow carbon base use low carbon
filler identified by EXXXL
C 0.15
Germany
Mn 1 - 2.5
Electrode SG 9250XRC
Si 0.25-0.6
UNS W31240
312
Ni 8-10
ISO 29.9
Cr 28-32

Higher Ferrite.
More "crack
resistance"
than E309.

C 0.08
Mn 1 - 2.5
Germany
Electrode SG9250ZRC Si 0.25-0.6
UNS W31640 Ni 11-14
316
ISO 19.12.2 Cr 18-20
Mo 2-3
Germany SG
X2 CrNiMo
Electrode
19.12
316L
ISO 19.12.2L
UNS W31643

317 Germany
SG CrNiMo
1813
Electrode ISO 19.13.4
UNS W31740
317L
317L UNS
31743

ESAB- 16.35
Thyssen Therm G.
Sandvik
19.12.2

for 316 steels

and good for
"high temp"
corrosion
resistance

C 0.03
Mn 1 - 2.5
Si 0.25-0.6
Ni 11-14
Cr 18-20
Mo 2-3

C 0.03
Mn 1 - 2.5
Si 0.3-0.65
Ni 13-15
Cr 18.520.5
Mo 3-4

Has moly to
increase the
tensile
strength. Has
excellent
corrosion
resistance and
high temp
properties
Note contains
considerable
ferrite which
can lower
toughness
properties.

Germany SG
Electrode X5
CrNiMoNb
318
1912
Electrode
320
C 0.07
Mn 1.43
Electrode
UNS W32140
Si 0.58
321
Ni 10.52

used for
welding
Carpenter 20
plus 20Cb-3
stainless

Cr 18.58
For weld data and information on Carbide
Precipitation scroll down to weld data

Germany SG
X5 CrNiHb
Electrode
1999
347
UNS W34740
ISO 19.9No

Electrode
UNS 34940
349
Germany
SG 5 350
Electrode
UNS W41040
410
ISO 13-EZ13189
Germany
Electrode SGS 250 Zr
ISO 17 - EZ17
430
UNS W43040

C 0.069
Mn 1.59
Si 0.49
Ni 9.96
Cr 20.82

used for 321 347 better

corrosion
resistance than
308

ESAB 16.11
Thyssen Therm
E347-321 wire
H.
is stabilized
Sandvik with small
19.9Nb
amounts of Ti
or Cb to
prevent
carbide
precipitation

Welding High Strength, High Carbon

Steels with
Austenitic Stainless or Nickel Filler
Metals.
Austenitic and specific nickel filler metals can offer many
welding benefits for welding dissimilar joints.
In welding high strength, high carbon steels the austenitic /
nickel filler metals offer unique features that can reduce weld
crack potential in both the welds and weld heat affected zone
(HAZ).
[1] High carbon to stainless welds require that the stainless
weld metal have sufficient ferrite to resist cracking. When
welding carbon steel to stainless and a 309L wire is used, the
resulting ferrite is approximately 14-16FN.
If the steel is a high carbon steel, a 309L, first weld pass on the
carbon to stainless will likely end up with "insufficient ferrite".
The carbon from the high carbon steel when mixed with the
stainless weld will suppress the ferrite formation. Instead of
the 309L for this application, a 312 electrode may be
recommended.
The 312 filler metal, (70 to 90 FN in the weld metal) produces
much higher ferrite levels than the 309L. This is the prime
reason the 312 is recommended for applications sensitive to
weld cracks. Filler metals such as 307 - 308 Mo and 310 can

resist cracking with the aid of alloys and without the aid of
ferrite.
[2] High carbon, high strength steels welded to each are
subject to hydrogen assisted cracking. [1] High hardness, [2] a
source of hydrogen and [3] high stresses, these are the three
fundamental requirements for hydrogen assisted cracking.
[a] With the high carbon steels, high hardness is typical in the
HAZ unless very high, (not practical) preheat and interpass
temperatures are utilized for the welds.
[b] The stresses that can influence HAZ cracking typically
result from weld residual stresses caused by weld shrinkage,
these stresses can be further exaggerated by weld joint
restrictions as found in certain fixtures.
[c] As we are all aware hydrogen in the weld can be derived
from many sources.
An alternative to a high carbon, high strength filler metals, in
which the carbon dilution from the base metal will result in a
hard weld, subjecting the weld to transverse cracking, is an
austenitic or a specific nickel based filler metal (ENiCrFe-2).
The austenitic or nickel filler metals greatly reduces the weld
transverse cracking potential. Also these filler metals greatly
reduce, slow down or trap the weld hydrogen that can diffuse
from the weld into the HAZ, this greatly reduces HAZ hydrogen
cracking potential.
The diffusion of hydrogen though austenitic and nickel filler
metal welds and steel can be approximately 80 - 110 times
slower than through carbon steels and welds. The use of the
austenitic and nickel filler metals can greatly reduce cracking
however these filler metals can still absorb hydrogen so these
electrodes should be treated with the same respect and rules
that apply to any low hydrogen filler metals.

In North Americaand the World, Sanvik sets

the standard for MIG Stainless wires.
Excellent stainless gas shielded flux cored wires are
available from Alloy Rods and Kobleco.

ELIMINATE STAINLESS WELD

POROSITY:
Weld porosity, a cavity discontinuity that forms from a gas
reaction. The porosity can be trapped in the weld or at the
weld surface. The porosity is typically round in shape but can
also be elongated
ROBOTS AND MIG POROSITY. When you find the robot weld
porosity is always at the same location and the weld porosity
is not at the weld starts or ends, examine the robot movement
and see if the robot arm is causing a restriction of the gas flow
line. Also it's common with robot cells to see a severe gas flow
restiction due to the narrow orrifice found in gas line
connections. In a robot cell its critical to measure gas flow as
it exits the gun. If the porosity is at the weld start or stop
increase the gas pre flow and post flow times.

WELD POROSITY:
Weld porosity, a cavity or discontinuity that forms in the weld
from a gas reaction in molten metal.
The weld porosity can be trapped in the weld or evident at the
weld surface. Weld porosity is typically round in shape, but
can also be elongated.
Weld porosity is caused by the absorption of oxygen, nitrogen
and hydrogen into the molten weld pool. The gases are then
released on solidification and may become trapped in the weld
metal.

Nitrogen and oxygen absorption in the weld pool usually

originates from inadequate or contaminated gas shielding,
leaks in the MIG gas line, excess gas flow rates, draughts and
plate contamination.
Hydrogen can originate from a number of sources including
moisture from the electrodes,moisture on the parts,
contaminates on the workpiece surface.
CLUSTER WELD POROSITY. A localized group
of pores with random distribution. Causes. Arc
blow, insufficient, inconsistent or excessive
weld gas flow, material or weld wire contamination, (low) weld
parameters or poor technique.
PIPING, WORM HOLE, WAGGON TRACKS POROSITY.
Sometimes called "waggon tracks". Typically found in the
center of the weld, parallel to weld axis. Classic porosity when
moisture is evident in gas shielded flux cored wires, (the
cheaper the product the more prone to waggon tracks).
Increasing the flux cored wire stick out
and increasing the wire feed rate helps by
adding energy to the wire. Baking flux
cored wires and storing the wires in a dry
environment also reduces potential. Slow
weld speeds, make welds larger, avoid weaves. All
recommendations are intended to increase the weld arc
energy and decrease the weld cooling rate.
Worm holes are elongated gas pores producing a herring bone
appearance on a radiograph. Worm hole porosity is common
in gas shielded flux cored welds when the electrodes have too
much moisture in the wire flux.
WELD ROOT POROSITY.
Weld root porosity frequently occurs when MIG welding using
"argon oxygen" (oxidizing) mixes on parts >6 mm. With these
gas mixes the resulting root is typically narrow, finger shaped.
The root finger area solidifies rapidly trapping porosity. To
reduce the stainless root weld porosity, change to an argon 2 4 CO2 gas mix. Increase the weld parameters, slow the weld
speed and avoid weld weaves.
ALIGNED WELD POROSITY. Linear porosity, an array of small
round pores typically found in a line. Often caused from the
base metal lubricants or metal surface contaminate. Add weld

energy (increase wire feed), increase push angle allowing the

arc to break up surface oxides ahead of weld.
SCATTERED WELD POROSITY. Weld
porosity scattered randomly throughout the
weld or welds. If the MIG weld surface is
gray and looks oxidized, the porosity is
typically a result of insufficient gas flow. If
the weld surface looks clean with scattered porosity the
porosity is usually caused by the base metal part or electrode
contamination, or perhaps the weld data used causes the weld
to freeze too rapidly.
LARGE PORE WELD POROSITY. If weld surface
is clean and does not look oxidized, the large
pore MIG / FCAW porosity could be a result of
excessive gas flow. Gas turbulence is caused with gas flow
greater than 40 cuft/hr. Optimum MIG and flux cored gas flow
for carbon steels is 25 to 35 cuft/hr, the gas flow should be
measured as it exits the gun nozzle. If the weld surface is dirty
(oxidized) the cause of larger pore porosity is ofen a result of
insufficient gas flow, less than 20 cuft /hr.

Jan 2004. Sandvik Announces New Ultrahigh- Strength

Stainless Steel "NANOFLEX":
Sandvik Materials Technology recently developed a
new stainless steel called Sandvik Nanoflex that
features ultrahigh strength and good formability,
corrosion resistance, and surface finish. According to
the company, the steel is well suited for mechanical
applications requiring lightweight, rigid designs such
as medical equipment and for replacement of hardchromed, low-alloy steels in the automotive industry.
Examples of the strength properties of Sandvik Nanoflex are 1700 MPa
tensile strength, 1500 MPa yield strength, 8% elongation, 45-58 HRC
hardness, and a Charpy V impact strength of a minimum of 27 J at -20C.
Exact strength values depend on the product form and the manufacturing
route.

Despite its high hardness, the company claims it is easy to perform cold
forming operations such as bending, cutting, turning, and grinding. After
reaching the desired shape, a simple low-temperature heat treatment gives
the material its high strength without distorting the workpiece.

This material also displays good welding properties. It is

available in tube, strip, wire, and bar forms.

Stainless Filler Metal Selection

Stainless Type

FILLER METAL
SELECTION
AWS A5-9. Use
first choice.
Confirm choice
with wire
manufacturer

AUSTENITIC CHROME NICKEL

NONE MAGNETIC
Stainless 201 to austenitic 200-300 308
For 330 use 312
series use
201 used for low temp cryo
applications to -320F
Stainless 202 to austenitic 200-300 308
series use
For 330 use 312
Stainless 201-202-301 303 to mild
312
steel use
Stainless 210 - 202 -301 to mild
steel use

312

Stainless 301 to austenitic 200-300 308

series use
For 330 use 312
Stainless 302 to austenitic 200-300 308
series use
For 330 use 312
Stainless 302 - 302b 304 to mild
steel use

310

Stainless 302 - 302B -304 to mild

steel use

310

Stainless 303 to austenitic 200-300 308

series use
For 330 use 312

Stainless 303 to 310-314-330- use 312

Stainless 303 to mild steel use

312

308
Stainless 304 to austenitic 200-300 For 330 use 312
series use
Stainless 305 308 to mild steel use 312
Stainless 305 to austenitic 200-300 308
series use
For 330 use 312
Stainless 305 - 308 to mild steel
use

312

Stainless 308 to austenitic 200-300 308

series use
For 330 use 312
Stainless 309 to 309 - 310 - 314 316 - 317 use

309

Stainless 309 to 330 use

312

Stainless 309 to 347 use

308 - 347

Stainless 310 to 310-3140

310

Stainless 310 to 316 use

316

Stainless 310 to 317 use

317

Stainless 310 to 321 use

308

Stainless 310 to 330 use

312

Stainless 310 to 347 use

308

Stainles 310 to mild steel use

310

Stainless 314 to 314 use

310

Stainless 314 to 316 use

316

Stainless 314 to 317 use

317

Stainless 314 to 321

308

Stainless 314 to 330 use

312

Stainless 314 to 347 use

308

Stainless 314 to mild steel use

310

Stainless 316 to 316 - 317 use

316

Stainless 316 to 321 - 347 use

308

Stainless 316 to 330

312 - 309

Stainless 316L to mild steel use

309

316L or 317L
317L typical for
Stainless 316LN a nitrogen
corrosion
addition to a low carbon stainless
316L for toughness
Incesase both corrosion
(cryogenic type
resistance and strength as
applications
compared to 316L

Stainless 317 to 317

317

Stainless 317 to 321

308

Stainless 317 to 330 use

312

Stainless 317 to 347 use

308L

Stainless 317 - 321 - 348 403 - 405

309
410 414 416 to mild steel use
Stainless 321 to 321 - 347

347

Stainless 321 to 330 use

312 - 309

Stainless 330 to 330 use

330

Stainless330 to 347 use

312 - 309

Stainless 348

347

Stainless 384

309

Stainless AM 350

AM 350

Stainless 410 Condition A

ASTM 276
12% Chrome, chrominum /
martensitic steel

to itself or carbon
309L

Stainless 501 502 430 431 442 448

310
to mild steel use
17-7PH use

W17-7PH

PH15-7Mo use

WPH 15-7Mo

17-4PH use

17-4PH

A286

A286

Sanicro 28
27 Cr - 31 Ni -Mo 3.5 -Cu 1
Tensile 73 ksi Yield 31 ksi

Sanvik 27.31.4.LCu
ER028L

Duplex Ferritic Austenitic

SAF 2304
UNS 32304
DIN X2CrNiN 24-4
23 Cr - 4 Ni - N 0.1
Tensile 87 ksi - Yield 58 ksi

308 MoL

Duplex Ferritic Austenitic

SAF 2205
UNS S31803
22 Cr - 5.5 Ni -Mo 3 - N
Tensile 990 ksi - Yield 65 ksi
Weld Note: For MIG use argon
with 2% CO2. When welding 2205
or 2304 to dissimilar butter first
with ER309MoL then weld with
308MoL
No concern for interpass temp,
high amps can be use

2209

Duplex 3RE60
18.5 Cr - 4.9 Ni - 2.7 Mo

weld same as 2205

254 SMO alloy

Electrode Avesta
p12
Sanvik Sanicro 60
ENiCrMo3

Stainless to carbon

309 or 312 which has

higher ferrite

reduces cracking

MARTENSITIC STEELS 403 - 410 - 414

416- 420- 422 -431- 440
Preheat and interpass temp 500F 260C
Post heat 1350F 732C>
Control cool 50F / hr to 1100F>
Control cool to 1100F 600C then air cool.
Treat the 500 series the same as the
Martensitic series
Stainless 403 to 400 series use

410 ASTM 276

Stainless 403 to 501 use

502

Stainless 403 to 505 use

505

Stainless 405 to 505 use

505

Stainless 405 to 501 use

502

Stainless 405 to 430 use

430 - 309

Stainless 405 to 400 series use

410

Stainless 410 to carbon steel

309L

Stainless 410 - 414 WELD same as

405
Stainless 416 - 440 butter with 312
or 309 first
Stainless 416 to 505 -502-501 -446
309
- 440 -430 -420 use
Stainless 416 to 431-420-416 use

410

Stainless 420 to 505

505

Stainless 420 to 501-502 use

502

Stainless 420 to 446 use

430

Stainless 420 to 440 -420 use

420

Stainless 420 to 431 -430 use

410

Stainless 430 to 505 use

505

Stainless 430 to 501 - 502 use

502

Stainless 430 to 446 - 440 - 431 430 use

430

Stainless 430F to 400 series use

309

Stainless 431 to 505 use

505

Stainless 431 to 501 -502 use

502

Stainless 431 to 446-440 use

309

Stainless 440 weld same as 431

Stainless 446 to 505 use

505

Stainless 446 to 501 - 502 use

502

Stainless 446 to 446 use

309

Stainless 505 to 505 use

505

Stainless 501 to 505 - 502 - 501

use

502

Stainless 502 to 505 - 502 use

502

Ferritic steels 405 - 409 - 429 - 430

-434 - 436 - 442 -444 - 446
444 to 444 or to other metal use

316L or 309MoL

Ferritic magnetic avoid prolong

heat in the range of 750F -1700F
(400-925C
Feritic preheat at 350F 176C To
improve ductility
Ferritic steels most frequent
electrodes

309 - 310 - 312

Ferritic steel if post heat required

use Austenitic filler

Gas

Stainless and Nitrogen Purge

Question.
Ed as you are aware Nitrogen is a lot
cheaper than argon when utilized as a
purge gas for stainless. My question,
When MIG welding stainless tanks
edge or corner welds, tube or pipe

open root welds, can nitrogen react with the stainless and
have a negative impact?
Answer: Nitrogen typically a diatomic, "two atoms" per
molecule. Nitrogen in the diatomic form is usually insoluble in
molten stainless. However if the nitrogen gets into the weld
arc, the plasma arc energy can seperate the diatomic
molecules and create monatomic molecules.
The monatomic molecules are soluble in the weld. The
nitrogen, monatomic (seperated molecules) become an
alloying element and can reduce the ferrite in a stainless weld.
A reduction in ferrite in some alloys can cause the weld to be
more austenitic and sensitive to hot cracking. If nitrogen
enters a weld or the welding arc, it can have a negative and
sometimes a positive influence.
There are stainless alloys which do not need ferrite like 320 /
310. With these alloys nitrogen has no negative impact on
these alloys. Also if the stainless alloys have high ferrite levels
they typically can afford to loose a little of the ferrite to the
nitrogen.
With closed root, austenitic stainless welds, as found in tanks,
corner, edge welds, or thin gage, partial penetration tube
welds, nitrogen is the logical, economical, purge gas choice
for all austenitic, duplex, martensitic and precipitation
hardening stainless steel applications. The only concern
would be a few specific, ferritic alloys in which nitrogen could
cause severe weld mechanical issues.
With an open root "MIG stainless weld"
the nitrogen purge gas has little
opportunity to get into the weld arc as the
gas flow rate / pressure of the welding gas
should be higher than that of the purging
gas . However nitrogen could still be
picked up by the weld. .
With duplex stainless there should be no
concerns for open root nitrogen issues.
The majority of the common, open root
stainless alloys will not be adversely affected by nitrogen
purge gas. However in the world of product liability, here is the
welding bottom line. If your weld job is large enough to
produce a substantial cost reduction from using nitrogen gas,

then it's logical to "pre qualify the nitrogen purge welds" and
have the weld chemistry, ferrite and mechanicals tested.

Failed Pipe Weld Tests.

Question: Ed we weld austenitic stainless and carbon
steel pipes. For cost reduction, in our stainless weld
tests we only utilize "carbon steel pipes" and 309L
SMAW or flux cored, electrodes. We frequently have
root cracking issues, or during the bend test the weld
sample breaks. What is strange is that we visually
examine all the roots and we wont let them be
mechanically tested unless the welds look OK. Why
the inconsistency? why do some tests welds pass and
other good looking welds fail?
Answer: The bottom line the 309L electrode is designed to
weld "carbon steel to stainless" this electrode was not
designed to weld carbon steel to carbon steel thats why we
have carbon steel electrodes.
Use the 309L electrode on two carbon steel pipes and weld
dilution becomes a concern in the weld root area. If the weld
parameters and edge prep is such that the resulting weld
dilution is minimal, the resulting 309L weld should be
austenite with a little ferrite. It's the austenite / ferrite
combination that provides weld ductility.
If while welding the carbon steel pipe root, the welder uses
higher current, slower weld speeds or a wider weld weave, the
309L weld can end up with more weld dilution with the carbon
steels, reducing the weld ferrite level and making the weld

more austenitic. A reduction or loss of ferrite can make the

weld subject to "hot centerline cracking" (hot cracking, the
weld cracks during the weld or soon after).
A hot weld crack surface in a bend test can be identified by a
blue or gray color. Even if the root pass does not crack the
high austenite composition can turn to martensite when
cooling. The brittle martensite can readily fracture during the
bend test. (a silver color or bright fracture surface).

The bottom line if you look at the costs involved in the

stainless to carbon steel pipe weld test, it makes little sense to
use two carbon steel pipes. Ensure for your weld test that one
of the test pipes is at least stainless.

Stainless
Weld Data.
When MIG Welding stainless you can use the optimum MIG
wire feed data recommended at this site for carbon steels. The
only change that will be required is weld voltage. As stainless
will use a low reactive gas mix, less weld volts will be required.
For MIG stainless welds typically 2 - 3 lower volts are required
than that recommended for carbon steels.
Keep stainless clean, only use stainless wire brushes.
Manganese grades usually weld wiith a 308L
Welding XXXL ensure filler is low carbon as designated XXXL

With fixtures avoid carbon steels in

close proximity to stainless welds,
as carbon pick up possible, the
weld area will rust. There are many
ways to introduce carbon to
stainless welds.
For stainless vert up welds on
parts 3 to 6 mm, consider pulsed,
For stainless all position welds on parts > 6 mm, first logical
choice will be always be stainless gas shielded flux cored
wires.
Minimize the drive roll tension applied to stainless flux cored
wires.
For stainless flux cored weld data, use the carbon steel flux
cored wire data found in my flux cored book.
For stainless flux cored use an argon mix with 15 - 25 CO2.

STAINLESS AND CARBIDE PRECIPITATION (chrome

depletion):
Use weld data to avoid Carbide
Precipitation. (CP)
For stainless corrosive environments
control of CP is critical.
CP occurs with 300 series in the
temperature range of 800F - 1600F,
430-870C.
CP typically occurs within 3 mm of
either side of a weld HAZ
In the temperature range of 800-1600F
the chrome will move to join carbon,
this results in "chrome depletion" leaving an area with less
chrome.
A chrome depleted area may not resist the corrosive
environment.
To combat CP use (L) low carbon base and filler metals.
Ensure the C02 gas composition has less than 5 % CO2.

Stainless and stabilized electrodes.

You can combat CP with stabilized
fillers which provide alloys that grab
the carbon before it can affectr the
chrome. Alloys like E347 which work
at reducing chrome depletion.
Stabilized fillers are typically used in
high strength high temp service.
However if base metal is not an L
grade CP will occur.
Rapid cooling of stainless through
the 800 - 1600F range reduces Carbide Precipitation.

TIG welding and the influence

of "sulfur" in austenitic
stainless. When the parts to be
welded have normal sulfur content
(greater than 0.005%) an
interesting event can occur. With
increasing weld temperature the
surface tension of the weld pool
also increases. The result is the
hottest part of the fluid weld surface is attracted to the middle
of the weld pool causing deep narrow weld penetration.
With lower sulfur in the weld, the weld surface tension is less.
The resulting weld is wider with less fusion. When two parts
welded together have different levels of sulfur tension the weld
may pull towards the lower tension, lower sulfur part, resulting
in inconsistent weld fusion or penetration favoring one side of
the weld joint. This occurrence is especially notable when
automated TIG welding Dissimilar parts such as cast parts to
sheet or pipe. The following weld solutions may assist the
sulfur issues.
[1] Pulse the application.
[2] Use a weave.
[3] Weld twice.
[4] Use heat sink back up bars in close proximity to weld.

General Stainless (P-8) 300 Series Pipe Weld Procedure Data.

Max interpass Temp 350F

Process

Tungsten Filler
Metal
Thoriated Diameter

GTAW 3/32
SMAW
EXXX-1516

SMAW
EXXX-1516

Wire
Feed

Volts

1/16 1.6mm

300
DC
series
95-145
Straight
Stainless

N/A

14

1/8
3.2mm

300
DC
series
95-145
Reverse
Stainless

N/A

20-24

5/32
4mm

300
DC
series
125-175 N/A
Reverse
Stainless

21-25

045

300
DC
130-180
series
230/280 22-25
Reverse (140)
Stainless

FCAW
EXXX-T1
argon with
25 CO2

Polarity Amps