How To MIG Weld Stainless Steel: If you’re a welding technician working on automobile parts in the garage or fixing sinks that have been damaged, being able to weld stainless steel with MIG welding is helpful.
Stainless steel is known for its durability and long-lasting characteristics. The procedure of MIG welding can be confusing, but the fundamentals are fairly simple.
Machine-inert gas (MIG) welding is the process of using a continuous electrode for solid wire. This method is efficient for welding stainless steel because it does not leave any streaks. Be aware that there is a distinction between welding stainless steel and the method used to join stainless steel.
The former is considered a good choice because of its resistance to corrosion. It is recommended to use stainless steel in places that require strict hygienic measures as well as in places where distortion can occur when exposed to extreme heat.
The material has a lower thermal conductivity, a feature that allows it to disperse less of the heat generated during welding.
Factors to Consider During How To MIG Weld Stainless Steel:
Many welders choose MIG to weld stainless steel as well as other forms of metal due to its ease of welding and ease of use.
Through the years, technological advances in welding technology have led to the introduction of MIG welders and robots specifically in industrial settings, which can boost production.
Here are some things to take into consideration to get great welding results:
Selection of an Inert Gas Blend:
The most important aspect of MIG welding is choosing the right inert gas. You don’t want to use completely inert shielding gases like Helium or argon for MIG welding with stainless steel.
MIG process. Be aware that the arc used in the MIG process requires a filler material that differs from other processes like TIG. Inattention to this crucial aspect could affect the effectiveness and efficiency of the welding procedure.
Bracing the Joint During Welding:
While welding, you may brace joints to keep the workpiece from sliding and damaging the joint’s angle. You can also use woodblocks that are cut using a wood routing device to replace the braces.
The bracing process using wood is possible using a scaffold-like set of supports to control the distortion. Cut these wood shavings off after you’ve completed welding. Bracing the section of the weld is also possible by making the brace jig.
Before using brace jigs, you need to decide on the amount of weld required. The greater the amount of welding, the greater the bracing.
Cleaning the Weld Joint:
When welding steel, you must use a clean, dry surface. However, to clean your welding area, the possibility of spatter formation is always present as one needs to utilize filler materials while welding.
The weld spatters could appear even after the use of a quick and efficient welding machine. If you continue welding, the spatter gets sharper or develops burs, which could cause injury to the welding machine.
Many welders would prefer to put the stainless steel wire that has been welded through additional processes. These include electropolishing and sanding. It is important to note that choosing these second methods is dependent on the use of the custom-designed metal shape.
Distribution of the heat generated by the Weld:
Even the distribution of heat entails the transfer of heat equally during the process of welding. The distribution of heat evenly can be accomplished by backstepping, staggering, or making sure the joint is allowed to cool prior to welding it.
If the heat is distributed unevenly, it is likely that you will be left with burns and cracks. You can make use of MIG welding robotics in order to disperse heat evenly.
How to Weld Stainless Steel Using MIG:
The process of MIG welding stainless steel demands that welders continuously supply a solid electrode wire into the pool of weld. Also, you must provide the shielding gas that protects the weld from being contaminated with impurities. These are the steps to follow when MIG welding.
Torch Set-Up:
Begin by making the necessary arrangements for your torch. This process involves connecting the filler wire that connects your MIG welder’s reel and connecting it to the torch’s tip. Make sure that you only have 1/4 inch of your welding wire visible at the top of the torch. After that, you need to activate the shielding gas to begin your welding.
Determination of the Correct Angle:
Be sure that the flame strikes precisely on the desired area. This can be achieved using the torch set at 30 degrees to the joint’s edge. Depending on the job you’re working on, ensure that you are in the correct angle of travel.
A travel angle that ranges from 5 degrees and 15degree will give you the best results when you shoot at 90 degrees. Higher angles from 45 – 70 degrees are preferred for T-joints and lap joints.
Pull up the Beads:
Switch on the power and gently pull the weld beads towards the final of the. Make sure you are using moderate force and speed to avoid spatter formation.
Tips to Get the Best Stainless Steel for MIG Welding:
The market is currently filled with different kinds of steel. Every type of steel has a distinct quality. Take care when searching for a specific type of steel. Here are a few ideas to be considered.
Select austenitic steel:
These kinds are known for their high proportions of chromium and nickel. Austenitic steel is superior to Martensitic ferritic and Martensitic steels. The two last two contain massive amounts of carbon-based elements. This is why they are highly magnetic.
Filler Materials:
Make sure you purchase filler materials that are comparable and share the same structure as the base metals.
The Most Common Gas and Electrodes to Use for MIG Stainless Steel Welding
If you are MIG welding stainless steel, the right gas choice is very important. You can use pure Argon or a mixture of Argon and other gases. It is also possible to use a mix of stainless gas, like the BOC’s Stain Shield range, consisting of Helium, Carbon Dioxide, and Argon.
These stainless gas mixtures are necessary for MIG welding stainless steel, which is more than. The exotic steel varieties include Hastelloy, Monel alloys, and Inconel. The MIG welding process for stainless steel requires the use of a gas with a slightly higher flow rate.
The flow rate that is recommended is 14–16 milliliters per minute. Be sure to consult with your gas providers on gas requirements prior to launching any particular project. The most commonly used electrode for welding stainless steel is ER308 L.
If you are using this kind of electrode, the best gas choice is C2. C2 is comprised of 2.5 percent carbon dioxide, 7.5% Argon, and 90 percent Helium. It is important to note that the settings for stainless steel, as well as several nickel-based alloys, are very similar.
Be sure to inquire with your electrode supplier about the kinds of electrodes they have that are available before purchasing. You can also buy electrode wires and gas selection charts to guide you in choosing the best electrodes for welding.
What are the Necessary Gears for MIG Welding?
Personal Protective Gears
An insulated jacket for welding or sleeves
Safety glasses and gloves are used for welding.
Auto darkening welding helmet
Knee pads and chaps for welding
Boots for welding
A mask or respirator
Welding Tools
Welding clamps
Metal brush
Angle grinder
Shielding gas
Electrodes
MIG welder
Which is the Best Welding Wire in Stainless Steel MIG?
The most suitable wire is a stainless MIG wire. It is also possible to use a mild-steel MIG wire. The biggest issue that comes when using a mild steel MIG wire is that it develops corrosion. It is possible to stop this from happening by coating the wire with a coating.
What is the difference between authentic Stainless Steel a Counterfeit One?
Presently, the market is saturated with stainless steel products. Some are legitimate, and others are fake. The fake manufacturers use a layer to mimic the look of genuine stainless steel.
If you are a professional welding expert you can use an ordinary magnet in order to check whether the product you purchased is genuine. Genuine stainless steel can be described as a very low magnetic conductor.
Why Use a Spool Gun?
A spool gun helps keep the welding wire within the machine for welding. It also assists the welder transfer the stainless wire onto the spool. This helps speed up welding. Before starting work with your equipment, make sure that you have loaded the spool gun properly.
Why Back Purge?
A back purge is required to avoid contaminating the welding with impurities. Keep an eye on the purge process from the back side of the tubing. Back purge can be accomplished by connecting a hose pipe with a T junction.
Make sure to secure the hose pipe using the use of tin foil to strengthen it. This process must be performed within the tube to make sure that they are filled with welding gas.
Final Conclusion:
Understanding how to MIG welding stainless steel must be an important skill to have in your career in welding. Steel is a brittle material, and is also one of the most frequently used products in the marketplace. The information provided above will assist you in your endeavor to join stainless steel with MIG.