MOISTURE AND BASE METAL TEMPERATURE

Remove condensation. Allow weldments stored outdoors to warm to ambient temperature

to avoid
condensation. Check for moisture contamination of shielding gases.
PLASMA CUTTING
Finish grind to clean metal, joints prepared by plasma cutting or processes using
nitrogen or air in the plasma.
Nitriding of the joint can result which can cause rusting in the heat affected zone
of the finished joint.
Use uncontaminated abrasives designed for stainless steels.
ANTICIPATE DISTORTION
Stainless steels have a rate of thermal expansion 50% greater than carbon steels.
Nickel alloys expand to a lesser
degree. Use frequent tacks, or skip welding to reduce stresses. Minimize weaving
techniques which result in
slower travel speeds and higher heat input. Stringer beads are most desired when
welding on stainless steel or
nickel base alloys.
NARROW GAPS
Avoid narrow gaps. The root gap should, at a minimum, be equal to the diameter of
the electrode. This is
particularly important when welding duplex stainless steels and nickel base alloys,
which tend to have poor weld
flow characteristics, resulting in lack of fusion or undercut.
Remove or eliminate all possible sources of contamination including corrosion by
products: dirt, oil, grease,
scale, paints, and marking inks which may contain chlorides.
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If anti-spatter agents are used, use such materials specifically designed for
stainless steels. Beware of oils in
compressed air if used to cool or dry weld joints.
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Note that degreasing can add contaminants that will compromise welding as well as
create dangerous
poisonous gases.
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Do not mix stainless steel and carbon steel fabrications to avoid iron
contamination. Iron particles serve to
initiate localized corrosion.
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STEP 4: POST-WELD CLEANING
This is a very important step. The purpose of post weld cleaning is to ensure a
properly formed chrome oxide film
on the surface for optimum corrosion resistance: the smoother the finish, the
higher the corrosion resistance.