Thursday, June 19, 2014

The Process Of Stainless Steel Welding

By Sherry Gross


There are three classes of metals based in stainless steel; Austenitic, martensitic and ferritic. Classification is based on their crystal structure. Stainless steel has a chromium content of at least ten percent. Austenitic grades are available with lowered carbon content. The basic steps below act as a guide in stainless steel welding.

First ensure safety. Ensure self-protection and protect the others. Fumes and the gases used affect health and electric shock is dangerous. Read manufacturers guidelines and educate workers on their safety, Protect head form fumes. Ventilate the area and keep exhaust in the arc, Put on protective gears and avoid touching live wires.

Make a decision on the preferred joint design so as ensure the welded steel is of good strength. Consider the thickness, strength of metal, bonding positions and the joints accessibility when you are joining the metals. Five joints are common and they include edge, t, butt, corner and lap, they are arranged in numerous combinations that create a wide variety of weld. You can use jigs and fixtures in order to help you secure work pieces. Safeguard the sheet metals, fillet and lap joints tightly when joining.

Choose any of the following processes; Stick electrode welding process by which there is an electric arc between a base metal and metal electrode which generates heat that is needed in the bonding process. It is an inexpensive and efficient process due to slang coating and stub loss. Tig welding process is performed easily on various metals. The electric arc that generates heat is between the base metal and tungsten electrode. If necessary, a filler metal is added. The arc is shielded by an inert gas.

Mig welding is faster in metals with thin gauge and with heavy plate. Heat used in the process is produced in the arc in between base metal and the filler electrode. Mig welding process is done in two ways; short circuit transfer or the spray transfer. Use the short circuit transfer in small and thin gauges. For spray transfer, spraying of droplets of metal is done.

Supposing the method of your choice need shielding gas, ensure that you have the best gas for use. The stick electrode requires no shielding gas. Use either helium alone or mix it with argon when working on thicker sections while helium is advisable for deep penetration.

When the metal pieces are the same, make use of a filler metal that has the same composition with the base metals so that the weld will have uniform properties. Consider the mechanical characteristics, probability of cracking and compatibility when choosing filler metal with different applications of the base metal.

Make use of direct or an alternating current when using stick electrode method. The direct current has a one direction of flow. It makes use of straight polarity or a reverse polarity. It has an advantage as it works in settings of a low current. Use a direct current with a straight polarity.




About the Author:



No comments: