How to weld stainless steel yourself with argon
Stainless steel contains a large number of alloying substances that actively react chemically with oxygen and nitrogen. When welding stainless steel with argon, the bath is protected. No oxidation of components occurs. It remains to overcome the remaining characteristics of the metal, which create difficulties when connecting two high-alloy parts. To do this, the weld area is prepared and non-consumable electrodes are used.
Welding stainless steel with argon
Technology
Argon welding of stainless steel is carried out using conventional technology in a shielding gas environment. The filler wire should only be moved along the seam. The electrode should not touch the metal; the bath is accelerated by an arc. Make sure that all consumables are sealed with argon gas.
The seam is stronger if argon arc welding is performed with additional injection of shielding gas. It's coming from the opposite direction. The pipe can be closed on one side and gas can be released on the other.
An oscillator or a graphite plate is used to ignite the arc. You cannot touch the part with the electrode; a burn will immediately form at the point of contact.
Gas supply continues for 4–8 seconds after completion of work.
Copper pads are used to join thin sheets. They are attached to the back of the seam to remove excess heat.
Advantages and disadvantages
To protect against oxidation and destruction, an inert gas is used, which is much more expensive than carbon dioxide. Argon consumption when welding stainless steel depends on the thickness of the metal being welded and the wire feed speed; it is 10–20 l/min.
Additional airflow from the reverse side of stainless steel parts requires another 6–7 l/min. The cost of work increases.
On the other hand, a durable, high-quality seam is obtained. It is done on critical parts, pipelines, and containers for aggressive liquids.
Thin stainless steel is welded end-to-end with a tungsten electrode. Copper backing plates can be used many times and can be given any shape during mass production. Costs for straightening and post-weld normalization are reduced.
Equipment and consumables
When processing stainless steel, you cannot ignite the arc in the standard way, striking the part. The equipment must provide non-contact ignition of the arc. An inverter and a semi-automatic machine operating in argon arc welding mode meet these requirements. The welding machine and the gas cylinder must operate synchronously, from one button on the holder.
Uniform distribution of gas is ensured by a mouthpiece with a mesh and a wide nozzle. They put it on the burner. As a result, the gas flows in a wide stream, covering the entire bath and seam. It has a low speed, it does not blow out molten metal and does not deform the seam.
For stainless steel products, it is important that the filler wire is selected of the same grade or as close as possible in terms of chromium, nickel, and manganese content.
The tungsten electrode is selected with a diameter smaller than the gap between the parts. Typically, electrodes with a diameter of 1–1.6 mm are used. The edge is sharpened and made sharp.
Preparation
When preparing, you should consider some features of stainless steel:
- low thermal conductivity;
- high melting point;
- a large number of alloying substances;
- large specific expansion.
It is recommended to heat thick-walled parts to 200–300 ⁰C. This will reduce the temperature difference between the weld and the base metal. This will reduce the risk of a coarse transition zone forming along the weld line.
Immediately before welding, the edges of the parts are prepared. They must be cleaned of dirt, dust, and grease. Then wipe with purified gasoline or acetone. The cleaning is completed with a soft abrasive wheel or sandpaper.
When placing parts under the tack, you should leave a large gap between them. When heated from the weld pool, the edges should not connect and press on each other, causing deformation.
Tacks should be made with the same electrode that will be applied to the root seam.
Rules and stages of welding work
Argon welding is used to join stainless steel pipes. When laying pipelines of increased responsibility and creating tanks, argon is supplied inside. It protects the reverse side of the seam from oxidation and burnout of chromium.
First, the ends are cut straight, etched and cleaned. Then the pipes are rigidly fixed in a special device. This allows you to cook without oven mitts.
The seam is applied in 2 passes from bottom to top with a slight transition at the junction points. After cooling, thick-walled parts are cleaned of slag, the quality of the seam is checked and a second layer is applied. This must be done immediately, before the joint temperature drops below 150⁰.
Manual
For manual welding with a non-consumable tungsten electrode, the filler wire is placed in advance in the seam or brought in front of the pool along the seam.
The gas is turned on 2–4 seconds before the arc forms. This ensures that the entire weld and hot metal are protected. After completion, argon blows over the seam for another 4 seconds.
The tungsten electrode itself does not melt; it only uses an arc to heat up the stainless steel being welded and the filler wire, and mixes them.
Semi-automatic
When welding semi-automatically in an argon environment, the wire simultaneously performs the duties of a filler material and an electrode. It is fed at a constant speed, melted by the arc and bath temperature. It is recommended to comply with the following requirements:
- move the bath in an arc without touching the metal;
- the length of the arc should be 7–12 mm;
- wire protrusion from the torch is 6–9 mm;
- gas mixture composition: 30% argon, the rest carbon dioxide;
- the gas must be dry, without admixture of water;
- The burner is positioned straight and tilted up to 80⁰.
You should choose equipment in which the wire feed speed and gas flow automatically change with changes in voltage.
A semi-automatic machine can weld into a seam in any spatial position. Vertical only from below. TIG welding or argon welding for a beginner. Where to start?
Source: https://metalloy.ru/obrabotka/svarka/nerzhavejki-argonom
Welding stainless steel with argon: technique, equipment and materials, quality criteria
Stainless steel is used in many industries. It is found in factories as parts of production mechanisms, on the street as frames for bus stops and prefabricated summer structures.
Surgical and household instruments are made from stainless steel. This steel has even found its place in oil production and refining. Therefore, it requires craftsmen to be able to handle it correctly when welding.
Alloy stainless steel is processed in several ways in welding. Quite often, welding is carried out using argon and tungsten rods.
This type of work with stainless steel is financially affordable, because it does not require special equipment.
general information
The stainless steel type is not subject to corrosion. This metal is practically not afraid of rust even without special protective substances. This is the basis of the popularity of stainless steel.
With proper care, it can be used for decades, and therefore is in deserved demand. The elements of chromium, nickel and titanium included in this steel improve its physical and mechanical properties.
Which is also the reason for its application in different areas.
The advantages of stainless steel include the way it looks. Due to the bright, characteristic shine, things made from such steel are often not painted.
Therefore, welding joints on steel products must be made not only reliable, but also preserving the appearance of the steel. However, this is only one of the aspects of working with steel.
Working with stainless steel is difficult. The same characteristics of the composition that protect the metal from rust make welding it a difficult task. This article is about the important points of welding work with stainless steel.
After all, this is a task for which special preparation is required.
Welding Features
The first thing about working with stainless steel is that the challenges come from the components included. Nickel and chromium are the two main elements that make welding difficult. Stainless steel also goes by the name "alloy steel".
It has increased thermal conductivity, and this is also important to remember when working with it. This indicator often becomes the reason why an inexperienced specialist encounters difficulty in melting metal during welding.
For welding work with stainless steel, 6000°C is required. This is quite a high figure. It is enough to melt stainless steel, but often the heating concentration is reduced to one point.
The surface overheats, which leads to deformation of the part. To process steel efficiently, the current is set 15-20 percent below the standard level.
Deformation of stainless steel during operation also occurs due to the increased coefficient of linear expansion. This leads to welding joints quickly becoming cracked.
To avoid such defects, a gap must be left between the edges for deformation. Thus, after steel expansion, shrinkage will have acceptable parameters.
Compliance with temperature conditions is the main indicator when welding stainless alloy steel. Violation of this process reduces the material's resistance to corrosion. To avoid overheating, parts are cooled immediately after work.
Metal preparation
When working with argon welding, the risk of defects threatens even at the preparatory stage. The preparatory stage is quite important here. That’s why you shouldn’t give it up.
After all, in essence, it consists of the same preparatory actions as during argon arc welding of other metals.
First, the edges are cut. Next, they are cleaned to a shine using a metal brush or a grinding machine. After this, the working area is degreased with a special liquid.
Gasoline or acetone-containing substances will do. This is done to improve arc stability, which speeds up the work process.
Don’t forget about the joint gap, which prevents defects. Before welding begins, not only the preparation of parts is carried out, but also the selection of components.
When argon welding stainless steel, a filler rod is used. An important nuance in the selection of a rod is the degree of alloying. It should be higher than this indicator for the part. Such elements should be taken from trusted companies.
Purchasing a cheaper or more expensive element does not ensure the reliability of the welding result. If you lack experience, you should ask more experienced welders for a recommendation.
The craftsmen are able to give advice on where and from whom it is better to get high-quality components for welding stainless steel with argon.
Argon welding technology
Argon arc welding of stainless steel is a task for a master with extensive experience. However, even a beginner can do it. But first, it’s worth conducting a couple of training tests on unusable parts that can be rejected.
Argon welding is most often used for thin-walled elements. After all, this welding process technique is quite neat. When processing thin-walled stainless steel using the argon arc method, the selection of equipment plays an important role.
A semi-automatic machine is suitable for working with stainless steel. This is a classic option. It is quite difficult to use, but sufficient experience ensures a reliable and aesthetic seam.
Before work, the device is configured. The polarity is often straight. Also in the settings there are two types of current - alternating and direct. This parameter is set separately for each part.
When argon arc welding of stainless steel, a welding rod and a tungsten electrode are used. An important link is the gas burner in which the electrode is fixed. Argon is supplied through it.
The movement of the gas burner occurs manually. It is important to remember that it is carried out along the axis of the weld. Cross traffic is strictly prohibited.
When passing the torch across the joint, argon will not be able to protect the welding area from the destructive effects of oxygen. This will reduce the reliability and quality of the connection, and the part will be rejected.
The reverse side of the weld also requires protection. For this purpose, argon is also supplied to the other side of the part. This increases gas consumption, but increases the reliability of the seam.
When working with thin-walled stainless steel parts, the edge of the electrode is pre-melted. This is a precaution to avoid contamination of the seam surface of the part.
After all, the aesthetics of the connection is the main parameter when working with stainless steel. Graphite backings used during arc ignition also provide a more suitable weld appearance for this type of steel.
Oxidation activity of the metal or tungsten electrode is also a common cause of disruption of the welding process. The solution is to continue feeding argon into the weld pool after welding is completed.
The duration of this action is only 15-20 seconds. However, this will improve the quality of the seams and protect them from cracks. And the level of argon consumption is quite small.
During welding, the ideal gas consumption level is 12 liters. It is worth making sure that it is not more than 15 liters. in a minute. However, these indicators are characteristic of highly qualified craftsmen who have extensive experience in this area.
For beginners, overspending is normal. With experience, the process will proceed faster, and this indicator will return to normal.
Conclusion
The TIG welding process for stainless steel is complex, but doable.
It is enough to correctly understand the nuances of welding technique, choose a reliable machine and monitor the level of gas consumption.
When welding, it is important to follow safety precautions and use protective equipment.
Source: https://prosvarku.info/tehnika-svarki/svarka-nerzhaveyushhej-stali-argonom
Description of options for welding stainless steel with argon, features of preparation of parts
Stainless steel is made from high-alloy steel, which is resistant to rust. It is used in the manufacture of home appliances and industrial devices. If you know how to cook stainless steel with argon, you can save yourself from many serious problems. It is how argon welding occurs that will be discussed in this article.
Argon welding of stainless steel is complicated by the characteristics of the material. Due to alloying additives, stainless steel has the following properties :
- Low thermal conductivity, which has a bad effect on welding work;
- Because of this, high temperature will be concentrated in the areas where work is performed and poorly removed from them;
- The connection area overheats, in worst cases the metal burns through;
- Increased electrical resistance, which negatively affects the welding of high-alloy steel and leads to a crack in the weld;
- A high coefficient of linear expansion leads to large linear shrinkage and problems for such structures;
- Failure to comply with the thermal regime causes loss of anti-corrosion properties.
The above-described features make welding stainless steel using argon quite complicated and cause a lot of problems for novice craftsmen. Therefore, it is necessary to properly prepare the parts for the welding process.
Preparing parts
Processing is no different from other metals and consists of the following steps:
- We clean the edges of the workpieces until they shine. Here you will need a metal brush or a grinding machine;
- We degrease the edges of parts using acetone or aviation gasoline. This will ensure the stability of the electric arc and improve the quality of the weld;
- Preparing the workpieces to be joined for welding requires an increased gap. Due to it, deformation processes will be compensated.
It is very important to select the correct filler material. In addition to the diameter, pay attention to the composition. The degree of alloying should not be higher than the metal from which the workpieces to be joined are made. The models of welding wires used can be viewed on separate specialized resources.
Argon welding is used when connecting parts of small thickness. The results are high-quality and reliable connections with beautiful and very neat seams. Pipes connected in this way are suitable for transporting liquids and gases as they can withstand high pressure.
Welding in this way can be done with alternating or direct current of straight polarity. The working body is a burner with a fixed tungsten electrode. A stream of argon is supplied from the burner nozzle. The filler wire forms the weld seam. All movements of the torch are performed manually.
All this allows you not to remove the weld pool from the argon protection zone. The backseam must be protected from ambient air. Although gas consumption increases, the quality of all areas becomes very high.
Do not contaminate the surface of the metal being welded or melt the electrode. Therefore, it is important to use a special graphite or carbon plate. After ignition on it, welding is carefully transferred to stainless steel.
Do not turn off the argon supply immediately, but after 15 seconds. Gas consumption increases slightly, the service life of the electrode and the quality of the resulting seam are significantly increased.
Semi-automatic welding
This method can significantly increase the productivity of work. It can be used to weld joints of even considerable thickness. The resulting structures are of high quality, reliability and attractiveness.
There are some nuances to this process. The welding wire must contain nickel. In addition to argon, carbon dioxide is added to connect thickened joints.
Of all the possible options for such welding, it is worth using the pulse mode. Due to this, the spattering of the metal, the thermal effect, and the consumption of wire on the metal being welded are reduced. Processing takes minimal time due to the absence of a large amount of sprayed metal.
We looked at different welding options. For small thicknesses, electric arc welding is suitable, but thick joints require the use of semi-automatic devices. Also consider the materials used for soldering and welding; they should contain nickel in their composition to increase reliability. And carbon dioxide should be added to argon to ensure wettability of the seam edges.
Source: https://tokar.guru/svarka/kak-varit-nerzhaveyku-argonom-tehnologiya-svarki.html
Argon welding of stainless steel (stainless steel) using the TIG method | Tiberis
Do you want to master the technology of welding stainless steel with argon? How to do this, and what exactly to pay attention to during the TIG welding process? What equipment will you need? What are the nuances of working with stainless steel? We recommend reading our article and finding out the answers to these and other questions on the topic. Theoretical knowledge and practical advice will help you perform welding work more efficiently.
What is argon welding of stainless steel (TIG)
TIG is a method of welding with non-consumable tungsten electrodes in a protective gas environment - argon. Welding is carried out with alternating or direct current of straight polarity. Wire is used as a filler material, preferably having a higher degree of alloying than the base metal.
Where is argon welding of stainless steel most often used?
This method has found frequent use in professional production:
- food;
- aerospace;
- thermal power;
- in chemical;
- oil refining;
- automotive and other industries.
For example, for welding stainless steel pipes used to transport gaseous substances or liquids under pressure, TIG stainless steel argon arc welding is suitable.
Conclusion : The great popularity of the method in large industries is due to the high quality of the welded joint.
What are the pros and cons of this method as opposed to MMA and MIG/MAG?
When compared with other welding methods (MIG/MAG, MMA, submerged arc welding), stainless steel argon arc welding (TIG) has the following advantageous characteristics:
- high quality welds are obtained;
- excellent visual control of the weld pool and arc is possible;
- due to the absence of metal transfer through the arc, metal spattering does not occur;
- TIG welding can be performed in all spatial positions;
- During the welding process, no slag is formed, which means there are no slag inclusions in the weld metal.
Disadvantages of this method include the fact that TIG welding of stainless steel is generally slower than other arc welding processes (MMA or MIG), and is used where quality is a priority over the time spent on the welding process. In addition, TIG welding is complex, requiring practical skills of the performer.
Conclusion : A trained, experienced performer in most cases prefers this welding method due to the high quality of the weld.
What types of metals (steel) can be welded together with stainless steel using a TIG inverter
Welding stainless steel with argon is carried out when it is necessary to weld a thin steel sheet or special quality requirements are imposed on the weld.
Using TIG welding, stainless steel can be connected to almost all metals and alloys: carbon, structural and stainless steels, aluminum, titanium, nickel, copper, brass, bronze, as well as welding of some metals onto others.
What equipment and materials are suitable for welding
- TIG inverter.
- Gas cylinder. Most often, for argon-arc TIG welding of stainless steel, pure argon is used as a shielding gas.
- A burner, which is a pistol-shaped device that is fixed to a gas hose. An electrode is inserted into the burner holder, the end of which protrudes 3-4 mm beyond the burner body. Through a hose, the gas enters the nozzle at the end of the tool. The handle has buttons for gas and current supply. Torches usually correspond to specific TIG devices, but there are also universal Chinese torches on sale that fit Chinese-made units.
- Tungsten electrode (WL-15, WL-20 and others). They vary in size and composition. The choice of electrode diameter is determined by the thickness of the metal being welded (Table 1). International brands of electrodes and recommendations for their selection can be found on our website here.
- Filler rod (BRIMA ER-308L, BARS ER-308LSi, Lincoln Electric T 308LSi, ESAB OK Tigrod 385 d2.0 and others) It is a rod made of metal identical to the one being welded. The thickness of the rod must correspond to the thickness of the workpiece.
Table 1
| Metal thickness, mm | Electrode diameter, mm |
| 0,5 | 1 |
| 1 | 1,6 |
| 2 | 2 |
| 3 | 3 |
| 4 | 4 |
| 5 or more | 6 |
Which TIG inverter models are best suited for stainless steel welding?
Tiberis offers an expanded range of welders for welding stainless steel using the TIG argon method. Models of welders differ in the type of voltage used.
- If you need an argon-arc inverter for a mains voltage of 220V, then from inexpensive models in the budget price category we recommend choosing units such as MARS TIG 160 SH, Svarog PRO TIG 200 P DSP, ESAB Buddy Tig 160, which provide effective welding in compact dimensions and light weight. Among the premium class models, inverters such as EWM Picotig 200, EWM Tetrix 200, KEMPPI MinarcTIG EVO 200, KEMPPI MinarcTIG EVO 200MLP, which are characterized by intuitive controls, versatility, high welding results and significant operating time, have performed well.
- If you are looking for a device that operates at a voltage of 380V, pay attention to the budget models Svarog TIG 250 (R22), FOXWELD FoxTIG 3000DC Pulse, and installations that can be used in professional welding: EWM Tetrix 270, as well as KEMPPI MinarcTig 250MLP, a device Compatible with all additional remote controls from this manufacturer: foot-operated R11F, hand-held R10, or RTC20 and RTC10 burner remote controls.
Features of the welding process
When wondering how to cook stainless steel with argon, the first thing you should pay attention to is the location of the burner. It must be positioned in such a way that the angle between the axis of the mouthpiece and the plane of the part being welded is approximately 75-80°, and the torch is tilted in the direction opposite to the direction of welding.
It is important to carry out the welding process without oscillating movements of the electrode, otherwise the protection of the welding zone may be impaired, which will lead to oxidation of the weld metal.
The filler rod should be positioned at an angle of 90° to the axis of the torch nozzle, while the angle between it and the surface of the work being welded is 15-20°. In this case, the greatest efficiency is achieved when the rod is placed on the surface of the metal being welded. This minimizes droplet transfer of filler metal into the weld pool.
The filler metal must be introduced into the bath evenly, moving the rod in front of the arc. Transverse movements of the additive using the TIG method are unacceptable, since they disrupt the smooth supply of a jet of protective gas from the torch nozzle, thus allowing air to enter the welding zone.
To reduce the consumption of the tungsten electrode, upon completion of the welding process, it is advisable not to turn off the shielding gas immediately, but to do this after 10-15 seconds. This will prevent intense oxidation of the heated electrode and extend its service life.
Conclusion : compliance with such nuances during the welding process directly affects the strength and quality of the weld.
Treatment of stainless steel after argon arc welding
To ensure the finished product, additional work is carried out. During operation, the surface of the weld is covered with an oxide film. This negatively affects the strength characteristics of the metal against corrosion. To avoid this, the finished part is processed.
We hope that our article will contribute to the successful development of argon arc welding. Regular practice and patience will soon bring results. You can buy a modern TIG welding machine from a reputable manufacturer in our Tiberis online store, and ask our specialists any remaining questions by calling the numbers provided on the website.
Source: https://www.tiberis.ru/stati/svarka-nerzhavejki-argonom-tig
Stainless steel argon welding technology - important features and subtleties
Welding stainless steel, which uses argon as a shielding gas, is one of the most common technologies for obtaining high-quality and reliable connections of parts made from such steel.
The use of argon when welding stainless steel allows you to obtain high-quality welds
Before you begin learning this process, you should become familiar with the characteristics of this alloy, which make it a difficult-to-weld material.
Stainless steel is a metal that successfully resists corrosion processes. It is made this way by alloying additives, the main one of which is chromium (in some brands of stainless steel it can be up to 20%). Titanium, nickel, molybdenum, etc. can also be added to various types of such steel as alloying elements. These additives, in addition to anti-corrosion properties, give stainless steel a number of other necessary physical and mechanical characteristics.
Stainless steel, in addition to exceptional anti-corrosion properties, has an attractive surface appearance. That is why it is often not even covered with paint. This gives rise to additional requirements for the quality of the weld: it must be not only reliable, but also neat.
Only a specialist who has not only the necessary knowledge of the technology, but also sufficient experience in this field can carry out welding work with stainless steel and obtain connections that meet the most stringent requirements. This means that to learn how to weld stainless steel in an argon environment, it is not enough just to watch a video of such a process - you also need to get practical lessons.
What are the challenges of welding stainless steel?
The difficulty of welding stainless steel is explained by the properties of this metal, which alloying additives give it. Compared to low-carbon steel, stainless steel has lower thermal conductivity (two times lower), which is a negative factor for welding work.
Due to the low thermal conductivity of the metal, high temperature will be concentrated at the place where the connection is made and not actively removed from it. This can cause the joint area to overheat and even burn through the metal.
That is why the stainless steel welding technology provides for a reduction in the welding current: its value is selected 20% lower than when welding conventional steels.
Display of semi-automatic welding machine with digital indication of operating current and voltage
Another characteristic of stainless steel that must be taken into account when welding is an increased coefficient of linear expansion and, as a consequence, significant linear shrinkage.
It is this property of stainless steel that causes parts made from it to undergo significant deformations when performing welding work, often leading to the appearance of cracks on their surface.
Taking this into account, a larger gap should be left between the workpieces being connected, which will compensate for deformation processes.
Stainless steel has increased electrical resistance, which has a very negative effect on welding if it is performed with a high-alloy steel electrode. Such an electrode, which also has high electrical resistance, begins to heat up greatly. This leads to deterioration in the quality of the formed weld. If you are going to cook stainless steel with such electrodes, you should use products of a minimum length.
A weld crack is the most dangerous defect leading to structural failure
If the correct thermal conditions are not observed when welding stainless steel, this alloy may lose its anti-corrosion properties.
This is explained as follows. With significant heating (over 500 degrees), chromium and iron carbide begin to form at the boundaries of crystalline grains of the metal. This is how pockets of corrosion appear and further spread.
To avoid this negative phenomenon, which is called intergranular corrosion, it is necessary to very quickly cool stainless steel parts immediately after completing welding work.
However, this method is effective only if you are welding stainless steel of the chromium-nickel group.
How to prepare stainless steel parts for welding
In order to obtain a high-quality and reliable connection as a result of argon arc welding of stainless steel products, it is necessary to properly prepare their surfaces. This treatment is not very different from preparing for welding in an argon environment of parts made of other metals and consists of the following.
Stainless steel pipe prepared for welding using a grinding attachment
- The edges of the workpieces to be joined must be cleaned to a metallic shine, for which a metal brush or grinding machine is used.
- After cleaning, the edges of the parts are degreased using acetone or aviation gasoline, which must be done to ensure arc stability and improve the quality of the weld.
- When preparing the workpieces to be joined for welding, an increased gap should be provided in them, which will compensate for deformation processes.
When preparing stainless steel products for welding performed in an argon environment, it is very important to select the correct filler material.
In addition to the diameter of the filler wire, you must also pay attention to its composition. The degree of alloying of such wire must exceed the corresponding indicator for the metal from which the workpieces to be connected are made.
Welding wire grades for stainless steel
Argon welding of stainless steel using a tungsten electrode
Welding stainless steel in a protective argon environment is used mainly in cases where it is necessary to connect parts of small thickness. This technology allows you to obtain high-quality and reliable connections with beautiful and neat welds.
In the protective atmosphere of argon, welding of stainless pipes used for transporting various liquid and gaseous media is most often performed. The quality of welds obtained using this technology allows it to be used for connecting parts of pipelines operated under high pressure.
Connection of stainless steel pipes made by electric welding in an argon environment
Argon arc welding, performed with a non-consumable tungsten electrode, can be performed using alternating or direct current of straight polarity. The main working body when performing such welding is the torch, in which the electrode is fixed and from the nozzle of which an argon jet is supplied. The weld is formed by filler wire fed manually into the combustion zone of the welding arc. All movements made by the torch are also performed manually.
Unlike conventional electric arc technology, when welding performed in an argon environment, the electrode and filler wire do not make transverse movements - they are moved only along the axis of the seam being formed.
This is done in order not to remove the weld pool from the argon protection zone (this will negatively affect the quality of the connection). It is also necessary to take care of protecting the back side of the seam from ambient air, which is also blown with argon. Of course, this increases gas consumption, but the quality of all areas of the weld will be high.
Torch position for TIG welding
In order not to contaminate the surfaces of the workpieces being joined and not to melt the end of the tungsten electrode, they should not touch the base metal even during the ignition of the arc.
That is why the technology of welding in an argon environment using a tungsten electrode involves the use of a special plate made of graphite or coal to ignite the arc. Only after ignition on such a plate is the welding arc carefully transferred to the stainless steel.
A training video demonstrates this process well, which a novice specialist should definitely learn how to perform.
To prevent oxidation of the heated electrode and the newly formed seam, the argon supply should be turned off not immediately after welding, but after 10–15 seconds. This will have a slight effect on gas consumption, but this will increase the service life of the electrode and improve the quality of the weld.
Welding using a semi-automatic machine
Semi-automatic welding, performed in an argon environment, can significantly increase work productivity. This technology can be used to connect stainless steel parts of even considerable thickness. Along with high productivity, semi-automatic welding technology in argon allows us to obtain connections that are distinguished by high quality, reliability, and attractive appearance.
Welding mode of flange with pipe: torch at 11 o'clock, direction of rotation in the arrow
There are several nuances of semi-automatic welding of stainless steel that must be taken into account during the work. To improve the quality of the joint being formed, the welding wire must necessarily contain nickel. If it is necessary to weld parts of large thickness, then carbon dioxide is added to the protective gas, in addition to argon, which ensures better wettability of the edges of the seam.
Semi-automatic welding of stainless steel in a protective argon environment can be performed using several technologies - using:
- short arc;
- jet transfer;
- pulse mode.
The most controlled technology is using pulse mode. In this case, the welding wire is fed into the arc zone in short pulses.
This allows you to minimize the spattering of molten metal, reduce the thermal impact zone on the base metal, and reduce the consumption of expensive welding wire.
Processing the finished seam and the surface adjacent to it when using this technology takes a minimum amount of time, since there is practically no metal splashes on them.
Using jet transfer, you can weld parts of large thickness, and a short arc is more suitable for joining thin products. Videos allow you to better get acquainted with the features of these technologies.
Source: http://met-all.org/obrabotka/svarka/svarka-nerzhavejki-argonom.html
Welding thin stainless steel with argon
How is stainless steel welded with argon? The entire technology process will be covered in this publication!
Stainless steel belongs to high-alloy steels that are rust-resistant. According to the chemical composition, it is based on chromium and chromium-nickel, and according to the metal composition it is divided into dispersion-hardening, austenitic, martensitic, austenitic-ferritic and ferritic.
Any of the steels listed contains at least 12% chromium, which has a positive effect on strength and workability.
Due to its excellent properties, stainless steel is widely used in everyday life and industry. Therefore, having the skill of welding such metal, you will save yourself from many household troubles.
The material has a number of nuances that you should know:
- low thermal conductivity increases the risk of burning through thin metal (treated by reducing the current);
- large shrinkage causes the formation of cracks (the correct gap between the workpieces is necessary);
- loss of anti-corrosion properties at the welding site of stainless steel (rapid cooling required).
Equipment
To weld stainless steel, you need a power source with settings for: non-contact ignition and crater filling.
The filler rod must be of the same composition as the material being welded to provide the weld with strength and corrosion resistance. For example, the widely used stainless steel is 304, which means the wire should be Y308. More clearly in the table:
To reduce gas consumption and better protect the weld pool, use a gas lens with a mesh in the torch. Nozzles with different diameters are available for the lens. The larger the size, the better the protection.
For our purposes, No. 5 will do. This diameter allows you to get to hard-to-reach places.
Thanks to the gas lens, the electrode can be extended up to 10 mm.
Tungsten electrodes; when welding stainless steel with argon, you can use universal ones. The diameter depends on the thickness of the metal. For example, an electrode with a diameter of 1 mm (withstands current up to 50 A) is used for workpiece thicknesses of 0.7-1.6 mm.
For currents above 50 A, it is recommended to install electrodes from 1.6 mm.
Preparation of material
Just as you machine mild steel, stainless steel edges are cleaned and adjusted before welding. Clean the material with a steel brush until it shines and degrease it with any solvent.
Take into account the nuance - to shrink the seam, make the welding joint with a small gap.
Know that not everything shiny is stainless steel. You can check metal using a magnet:
- if there is no attraction, then we have stainless steel;
- if the material sticks to the magnet, then it is ordinary steel.
Thin metal connection
Welding thin stainless steel - nuances of technology. With this connection, it is recommended to place a copper plate under the workpieces.
Copper plate for comfortable connection of products
Which serves for:
- seam protection on the other side;
- heat removal;
- rigid fixation of flexible plates.
Source: https://steelfactoryrus.com/svarka-tonkoy-nerzhaveyki-argonom/
How to cook stainless steel with argon
How is stainless steel welded with argon? The entire technology process will be covered in this publication!
Stainless steel belongs to high-alloy steels that are rust-resistant. According to the chemical composition, it is based on chromium and chromium-nickel, and according to the metal composition it is divided into dispersion-hardening, austenitic, martensitic, austenitic-ferritic and ferritic.
Any of the steels listed contains at least 12% chromium, which has a positive effect on strength and workability.
Due to its excellent properties, stainless steel is widely used in everyday life and industry. Therefore, having the skill of welding such metal, you will save yourself from many household troubles.
The material has a number of nuances that you should know:
- low thermal conductivity increases the risk of burning through thin metal (treated by reducing the current);
- large shrinkage causes the formation of cracks (the correct gap between the workpieces is necessary);
- loss of anti-corrosion properties at the welding site of stainless steel (rapid cooling required).
How to cook stainless steel with argon
06.04.2019
Stainless steel acquires its anti-corrosion properties through alloying additives. It is not prohibited to connect parts from it using any type of welding. However, when heated, the alloying elements, interacting with oxygen in the air, burn out. As a result, the metal near the seam loses its anti-corrosion properties. To make a connection without loss of quality, stainless steel is welded with argon, creating an environment protected from the atmosphere.
Difficulties of welding stainless steel with argon
When working with stainless steel, it is necessary to take into account its characteristics obtained from alloying additives:
- Compared to ordinary steel, stainless steel conducts heat 2 times worse. This causes overheating of the metal, since there is insufficient temperature removal from the arc burning site, which often ends in burnout. Therefore, stainless steel should be cooked with argon with a current that is 20% less than for low-alloy steel with similar parameters.
- The high coefficient of thermal expansion of stainless steel leads to significant shrinkage after heating, so the seam may crack. To compensate for temperature deformation, a sufficiently large gap is left between the parts being connected.
- Stainless steel has high electrical resistance, so if work is performed with an alloyed electrode with high resistance, it will overheat. As a result, the quality of the seam deteriorates. If you have to work with such electrodes, their length is reduced to a minimum so that they do not have time to overheat.
- When heated above 500⁰C, stainless steel begins to lose its anti-corrosion properties. Therefore, argon welding methods provide for rapid cooling of the workpieces.
Preparing stainless steel for welding
To create a reliable connection, argon arc welding of stainless steel is performed after processing the surfaces of the parts. It is performed in the following order:
- the welding site is cleaned with sandpaper or a brush with steel bristles;
- after cleaning, degreasing is carried out with acetone or high-octane gasoline;
- the parts are placed with a gap between them;
- if thin stainless steel is being welded, it is recommended to heat the joining edges to 200 - 300˚C to reduce the tension of the metal and prevent the formation of cracks.
The diameter of the filler wire is selected in accordance with the thickness of the parts to be joined. There should be more alloying additives in it than in the stainless steel being welded.
Source: https://svarkaprosto.ru/tehnologii/kak-varit-argonom-nerzhavejku
How to cook stainless steel with argon?
A certain amount of chromium is added to stainless steel - no more than 12%, which makes this metal very malleable for processing. To connect stainless steel products, you can use absolutely all welding technologies. However, thin elements are best connected by welding stainless steel in argon.
Stainless steel has certain technical and operational characteristics that have a significant impact on the final result of welding work:
- The low thermal conductivity does not allow the use of too high a welding current, since in this case it is possible to burn through the metal in the area where the welded joint is formed. A similar problem is solved by reducing the current supplied to the metal to acceptable parameters;
- Excessively high shrinkage percentage of the metal during cooling after welding with stainless steel. To prevent this from affecting the quality of the connection, it is necessary to correctly set the gap between the elements being welded;
- If the workpiece is heated to a high temperature for a long time, this will lead to the fact that chromium will begin to evaporate, and accordingly, the anti-corrosion characteristics in the area of the formed seam will be lost. To prevent this from happening, welding stainless steel with argon involves rapid cooling of the structure.
What equipment and consumables should be used?
You will have to use welded wire and argon directly as consumables. If you plan to carry out argon welding of stainless steel, then the additive will also have to be taken from stainless steel. As a rule, workpieces are made from material marked 304; in most cases, Y308 wire is suitable for it.
Instead of argon, a number of other gases can be used, but argon is consumed most economically, and it can also be used to connect various types of materials, such as copper and stainless steel. In particular, stainless steel will require only 8 liters of gas per minute. In addition, you can further reduce gas consumption if a special gas lens with a special mesh is placed on the burner.
Welding stainless steel with argon: technology of work
In principle, the methods of performing the work are approximately the same as welding copper, steel, aluminum and other metals, but there are certain nuances:
- The non-consumable element and filler wire are guided exclusively along the welded joint being formed. It is impossible to deviate in either direction, since in this case the molten metal will leave the argon environment and come into contact with air, which cannot be allowed;
- In order for the quality of the seam obtained as a result of argon arc welding to be as high as possible, after completing the work on its formation, it will be necessary to blow it with argon on both sides. Despite the fact that this will lead to an increase in gas consumption, this feature will not allow the unset metal to come into contact with air and allow chromium to evaporate;
- Contact of the non-consumable element with the surface of the workpieces being joined is not allowed; they are welded without direct contact. It is unacceptable to touch even if necessary to ignite the arc. To accomplish this, ignition is often carried out on a special plate made of graphite or coal, and then the arc is transferred to the base metal. However, there is also non-contact technology, which involves the use of a special copper oscillator.
As mentioned above, it is prohibited to immediately stop the gas supply after completing welding work; it must be continued for about 10-15 seconds.
How to weld stainless steel pipes together?
Today, stainless steel elements are used quite often in everyday life; in industry they are used even more often, and in a wide variety of areas of production. They should be connected to each other using argon arc welding, and the technology in this case will be almost no different from welding sheet metal. All preparatory work is exactly the same as the welding modes itself, but there is one minor nuance.
As mentioned above, it is advisable to blow argon on both sides of the welded joint. Doing this outside is not so problematic. To do this from the inside, you need to get a little tricky:
- On one side, the pipe is plugged with a plug made of paper, fabric or other material.
- The butt joint around the perimeter is sealed with any adhesive material - tape or insulating tape.
- Argon is pumped into the open hole, and the pressure is set to a minimum so that the plug remains in place.
- When the inside of the pipe is completely filled with gas, the second hole is also plugged.
- The adhesive film is now removed from the workpieces and welding work is carried out.
Argon welding using a non-consumable tungsten electrode
This work is carried out when it is necessary to connect elements of insignificant thickness to each other, and thanks to this technology, very high-quality, neat and attractive-looking connections are obtained.
Typically, industrial-type welding work involves joining pipes, which will later be intended for transporting liquid or gaseous products.
It is worth noting that these pipelines are capable of functioning even under very high pressure.
The welded joint will be formed largely due to the metal of the workpieces, so this point should be taken into account and they should be made somewhat larger than implied by the project. If necessary, it is permissible to use filler material, which will have to be supplied manually to the area where the arc will burn. You will also have to move the torch with an electrode made of tungsten by hand.
It is worth saying right away that labor productivity if this technology is used will not be too high. The fact is that it is not very convenient to supply the additive manually; besides, at this time you will also have to blow the weld pool with argon and pass the electrode.
Only a very professional welder can simultaneously perform such a series of actions with a high-quality result, so it is better to use semi-automatic technology.
Source: https://electrod.biz/vidy/argonom/kak-varit-nerzhaveyku.html
Welding stainless steel without argon
How is stainless steel welded with argon? The entire technology process will be covered in this publication!
Stainless steel belongs to high-alloy steels that are rust-resistant. According to the chemical composition, it is based on chromium and chromium-nickel, and according to the metal composition it is divided into dispersion-hardening, austenitic, martensitic, austenitic-ferritic and ferritic.
Any of the steels listed contains at least 12% chromium, which has a positive effect on strength and workability.
Due to its excellent properties, stainless steel is widely used in everyday life and industry. Therefore, having the skill of welding such metal, you will save yourself from many household troubles.
The material has a number of nuances that you should know:
- low thermal conductivity increases the risk of burning through thin metal (treated by reducing the current);
- large shrinkage causes the formation of cracks (the correct gap between the workpieces is necessary);
- loss of anti-corrosion properties at the welding site of stainless steel (rapid cooling required).
Stainless steel argon welding technology
Stainless steel is a highly alloyed material that is difficult to weld. This is due to the fact that the metal in the molten state behaves completely differently from other varieties.
The weld pool turns out to be very liquid, so this significantly complicates the process of obtaining a normal bead. It comes out noticeably deformed, since the metal quickly spreads over the surface and cannot properly grip both edges of the part.
This also creates negative conditions for the formation of defects, the number of which increases. To reduce negative phenomena, additional protection should be used.
Welding stainless steel with argon
Argon-arc welding of stainless steel provides fairly high quality due to the fact that the inert gas argon acts as a protective element during the process. It helps heat the material to reduce deformation, and also protects the bath from debris and exposure to oxygen from the atmosphere.
It becomes a kind of insulator. The cost of this process is slightly higher than the others, but it is of the highest quality and indispensable in the production sector. This method is suitable not only for welding stainless steel to stainless steel, but also to other materials.
All this is carried out in accordance with GOST 10157-79.
Scheme of argon-arc welding
When working, you need to use special modes. When compared with standard metals, for the same thickness, the current strength and other parameters are reduced by approximately 20%. In any case, this requires experience working with stainless steel, therefore, you need an experienced craftsman to achieve a high-quality result, and not just use the correct settings.
What to consider when welding stainless steel with argon
When welding is carried out using argon, the properties of the metal should first be taken into account. After all, although gas provides sufficient protection from the interference of extraneous factors, the welding seam is formed by a master and the final result depends on his skill.
It is also worth noting that heating the metal, which should be done before welding, can be done with the same argon. This increases its consumption, but simplifies the process itself. Argon welding of stainless steel protects against the possibility of defects due to slag.
It is worth considering that heating must be uniform to prevent thermal deformation. The properties of stainless steel make the welding process very sensitive to all factors, therefore, you should strictly adhere to the given technology.
When using argon, you can use standard stainless steel welding wire. It is best when it matches the composition as closely as possible with the material with which it will be welded.
In this process, fluxes and other additional substances will not be superfluous.
Using flux to weld stainless steel with argon
Preparing stainless steel
Argon welding of stainless steel begins with the preparatory stages. Even if the workpieces are presented in a new form, they should be cleaned. Cleaning is carried out using a wire brush, sandpaper or a combination of these two tools. It is enough to shine the surface where the seam will pass. After this, you need to eliminate deposits and films, and also degrease everything.
For such procedures, a solvent or acetone is suitable. After carrying out these steps, you should put flux on the site of the future seam. At the last stage of preparation, the metal begins to be heated with a gas burner. This is required so that there is no stress in the stainless steel due to sudden temperature changes. When working with thin sheets, this protects against deformation.
As soon as everything comes to changing the color of the metal, you can start welding.
Cleaning stainless steel
Modes of argon-arc welding of stainless steel
A lot in this matter depends on choosing the right mode. This way you can determine the required argon flow rate when welding with stainless steel so that everything goes at the required level. In the process of work, you can determine the necessary data in practice, but if you are acting for the first time, it is better to use ready-made data.
| Metal thickness, mm | Current strength, A | Voltage value, V | Electrode diameter, mm | Amount of argon, l/min |
| 1 | 3060 | 11 | 1 | 2,5 |
| 1,5 | 4070 | 12 | 1 | 2,7 |
| 2 | 5080 | 13 | 2 | 2,9 |
| 2,5 | 6090 | 14 | 2 | 3 |
| 3 | 70100 | 15 | 3 | 3,3 |
| 4 | 80120 | 18 | 4 | 3,5 |
| 5 | 100140 | 20-22 | 4 | 4 |
It all starts with the preparatory stages. Stainless steel must be prepared for welding as described above and heated to the required temperature. A burner is used for all thermal procedures.
Argon arc welding of stainless steel may require additional flux. The seam begins at one end, where a weld pool is formed.
When it grows to the required size, and this can only be determined visually, depending on the thickness of the metal, then you can move the seam further.
"Note!
All movements should be done exclusively evenly, since too rapid temperature changes can cause defects.”
Although welding stainless steel with argon makes working with this metal easier, you still need to have skills. The movements must be clear and uniform, otherwise the metal will spread in different directions and the formation of the roller will be incorrect. After everything is completely welded, the material should be quickly cooled so that there is no loss of corrosion resistance qualities.
Quality control
After arc welding of stainless steel is completed, the quality of the result should be checked. All this is done in accordance with GOST 53525 and GOST 18442-80. The main methods are:
- Control by appearance - carried out by visual inspection, where only obvious defects that have formed on the surface can be determined;
- Radiation monitoring is a non-destructive method that includes radioscopy, radiography and radiometry;
- Magnetic control - which includes powder, graphic and ferrotic varieties by quality control;
- Acoustic control - based on sound and ultrasonic varieties, such as echo-impulse, resonant, shadow, reverberant, free vibration and emulsion;
- Thermal control – based on temperature contrast, as well as the thermal field method and thermometric analysis;
- Leak detection - this method is designed to search for leaks, as well as to check hermetic integrity;
- Capillary method - based on the penetration of liquids through small cracks in the metal, which includes such varieties as the colored and luminescent method;
- Electromagnetic – based on the principle of eddy currents. Here we distinguish phase, amplitude and their mixed varieties.
"Note!
For the most accurate result, it is best to use several methods if the quality of the welded joint is really important."
Security measures
Arc welding of stainless steel is not entirely safe. Here you need to follow several safety measures, negligence of which can lead to accidents.
First of all, it is worth remembering about gas safety, so the argon cylinder must be placed at a sufficient distance from the open source of fire, which would be acceptable for welding work.
Don't forget about electrical safety. Do not weld in high humidity.
Personal safety methods will not be superfluous, since you need to remember about hot objects, possible splashing of hot metal, and so on. Argon negatively affects the respiratory system, so personal protective equipment should be used.
Source: https://svarkaipayka.ru/tehnologia/svarka-nerzhaveyki/tehnologiya-svarki-nerzhaveyki-argonom.html
How to weld stainless steel with argon yourself
Stainless steel is widely used in modern food, chemical and oil refining industries. Not a single production of modern tableware, medical instruments or even bus stops can be done without stainless steel. For this reason, every self-respecting welder should be able to work with stainless steel.
There are different types of welding of stainless alloy steel, but most commonly argon and tungsten rods are used to weld stainless steel. Argon welding of stainless steel is very popular because it does not require expensive equipment.
Argon welding technology
Joining stainless steel with argon using wire requires the welder to have the necessary experience. But this does not mean that a novice master cannot cope with the work. Before starting work, practice on an unnecessary piece of metal and only then get down to business.
Often thin metal is welded using argon. This is due to the fact that this welding method allows the work to be done very accurately. The technology for welding alloyed thin stainless steel with argon begins with the selection of welding equipment.
In most cases, a welding machine for stainless steel is a classic semi-automatic machine. It is not easy to work with, but with frequent practice the seams turn out to be very durable and beautiful. Set up your device. We recommend straight polarity, but the type of current (alternating or direct) must be selected individually for each case.
Argon welding is performed using filler wire and a tungsten electrode. Also, one of the key elements of the entire “chain” is a gas burner. Argon shielding gas is supplied through it and a tungsten electrode is fixed in it. All movements of the torch are carried out manually. The torch must be guided along the axis of the welded joint, in no case across.
If you move the torch across, argon simply will not be able to protect the welding zone from the negative effects of oxygen. Subsequently, the quality of the seam will leave much to be desired. We recommend additionally protecting the back of the seam. To do this, apply another stream of argon from the back side of the weld. Yes, gas consumption will increase significantly, but the quality of the connection will be at the highest level.
Welding thin stainless steel also involves pre-melting the end of the electrode. This is necessary in order not to contaminate the surface of the steel. And we remember that the beauty of our work is very important when welding stainless steel. Additionally, you can use special graphite pads to ignite the arc. This will also help improve the appearance of the seams.
Welding stainless steel with argon often fails simply due to active oxidation of the metal or electrode. This problem can be solved very simply: after finishing the work, you do not need to stop the gas supply to the weld pool for another 15-20 seconds. Don't worry about gas consumption, it won't increase much. But the quality of the work will pleasantly surprise you. The seams will become much stronger and will not crack.
When welding stainless steel, monitor gas consumption. Argon consumption during welding should not exceed 15 liters per minute, ideally 12 liters. But these are strict limits for professional welders. If you are a beginner, don't worry about overspending. Over time, you will be able to reduce your consumption as you speed up your work.
Instead of a conclusion
Argon welding of stainless alloy steel is not as complicated a process as it might seem at first glance. The main thing is to understand all the features of the technology, choose a high-quality welding machine for productive work and not exceed the argon consumption when welding.
Don't forget to follow safety precautions and personal protective equipment. Experienced craftsmen can share their experience in welding stainless steel in the comments. Share this article on your social networks. This will be useful for all beginner welders.
We wish you good luck in your work!
Source: https://svarkaed.ru/svarka/svarka-metallov/kak-svoimi-rukami-svarit-nerzhavejku-argonom.html
Creating ideal conditions for welding stainless steel
Without some processing processes it is now impossible to imagine working with metal products - this includes heat treatment of metal, turning, and welding. Tig welding is one of the processes that must be performed with extreme precision.
On training videos, joining metal may look like a fairly simple process, but this type of work should be performed by specialists who are familiar with the technology of the welding process.
Before starting work, you should remember that arc welding of flanges, pipes and other metal products must be carried out in compliance with all safety measures.
The main thing to start with is to learn how to strike an arc.
The use of devices in stainless steel connections
Stainless steel welding processes can be either manual or automatic. Manual and automatic argon-arc welding can be carried out using a portable inverter. Such a device can be used when welding stainless steel and other materials.
Before purchasing a device, you should pay attention to the type of welding material with which argon welding is performed, as well as the size and weight of the device. An important factor will be the duration of the operating cycle, as well as the current strength.
It should be remembered that with insufficient experience, argon welding can become a rather labor-intensive process; even after studying all the distance lessons, watching training videos and using new equipment, you can make a mistake.
Here you should rely only on your own strengths; if you feel a lack of specialized knowledge, don’t give up, but try and try.
Scope of application of argon metal compound
Processes that use argon arc welding are among the dominant ones in the production of metal products. Many of the stainless steel products are used in areas where strict sanitary standards must be met, because stainless steel has high environmental qualities. Argon arc welding has proven itself highly in the field of pipe and pipeline processing.
The areas of activity in which argon joining processes are used are varied. Thanks to modern equipment, the welding process achieves high quality. In addition, one of the important factors is the correct choice of technology by which argon welding will be performed.
Technologies for argon arc welding
Due to the rapid pace of development of the technological process, the technologies used to produce arc welding are also developing. The principle of argon welding does not differ much from the basic welding technology, since the process is based on the use of heat. The difference is that the electrode and welding zone are protected with argon gas, which is why this welding work is called “argon arc”.
Preparation of the edges of the stainless steel workpiece has only one nuance - the welded joint must have a gap that will ensure shrinkage of the seam. Before the welding process, the surface of the edges is cleaned to a shine with a steel brush, and then washed with acetone or aviation gasoline. This procedure is necessary to remove fat that reduces the stability of the arc.
Welding stainless steel with argon is used when the starting material is too thin, or the welding joint must be of high quality. Stainless steel pipes must be welded with a tungsten electrode. The filler wire must have an alloying degree higher than that of the base metal.
Argon and stainless steel are made for each other
The argon welding procedure must be performed accurately and without oscillatory movements. Neglect of this point leads to a violation of the protection of the cooking zone, which leads to oxidation of the seam.
Experts distinguish between jet transfer of electrode metal and large droplet transfer. When using the first, the process is more stable and sustainable, but a high amperage is used, which may not be applicable to all pipe welding options. Large-droplet welding technology uses less current, but is characterized by metal spattering and process instability.
Weld seam quality control
When inspecting pipe seams, you can use various methods. You can watch this check step by step in various videos. The choice of method for checking a stainless steel seam depends on the thickness of the workpiece. The simplest is a visual inspection of the seam. It can be performed with or without a magnifying glass. Before inspection, the seam is usually treated with special solutions.
The next way to check is to x-ray the seam. This method has its drawback: defects are detected in workpieces with a thickness of no more than 6 cm. The magnetic-graphic inspection method is used for workpieces with a thickness of 0.4 to 1.2 cm. In addition, there are various pipe seam tests, for example, with kerosene or pneumatics, hardness testing, etc. The choice of method also depends on what technology was used for welding work.
Safety measures during work
Violation of safety during welding can lead to disastrous consequences. Therefore, arc welding activities must be carried out in compliance with these measures.
- First of all, all wires that are connected to the current supply and the welding arc should be insulated; high voltage circuit breakers must be present in the power sources.
- Argon work with metal should be carried out using dry overalls, mittens, and also, in some cases, galoshes.
- It is necessary to properly design the workplace, taking into account the specifics of the process.
- The room in which argon-arc welding is carried out must be well ventilated.
Welding work is particularly complex and no matter how simple it may look on training videos, such activities must be performed using appropriate experience, knowledge and skills.
Source: http://zavarimne.ru/texnologiya/sozdanie-idealnyx-uslovij-dlya-svarki-nerzhavejki/
