Stainless steel is a metal alloy that does not rust or corrode, making it ideal for food processing and aerospace applications. Chromium is the ingredient that makes stainless steel shine, and is also one of the main factors that distinguishes it from carbon steel. Unfortunately, this special property also makes it more difficult and dangerous to weld with! Here are some precautions we take when working stainless steel:
Watch the heat. When it comes to stainless steel welding, the most important factor is keeping an eye on heat levels. Depending on the thickness of the material, we allow for about one amp of current for every thousandth of an inch. Particularly when using TIG applications, it also is important to keep the welding speed up, maintaining good gas coverage as you go.
Use a gas lens. A gas lens collet is a good way to go when working with stainless steel. That means replacing the standard collet on a TIG torch. A gas lens is made from a series of stacked screens that are designed to distribute gas (usually argon) over the weld area in a more cohesive fashion. They are specifically designed to get better coverage with less turbulence. Using these lenses might cost more, but it is the best way to get the most out of a TIG torch.
Wear the proper safety gear. Because of its unique properties, stainless steel welding presents a number of additional health hazards. The most obvious is the release of Hexavalent Chromium. This toxic gas is known to irritate the nose, throat and lungs, and can even cause blindness if it makes contact with your eyes. That is why we make sure to utilize proper ventilation, a welding helmet, welding gloves and other proper welding attire before doing any TIG work with stainless steel.
Welding stainless steel allows you to do a lot of unique projects that you might not be able to do with carbon steel. But it also requires strict attention to detail and additional safety precautions.