Thread: Gas for stainless

Originally Posted by Enfield Guy

What are the issues with using argoshield light with stainless. Should I be using another gas blend?

Cheers

Assuming you are talking about MIG process I think you can weld SS relatively successfully with the Argoshield light, but I think a more ideal mix is 2%CO2, 98%Argon.
I just use Argoshield myself because I refuse to pay for a 3rd bottle. Can't remember the downside of using the higher CO2 mix but it's just not as ideal as the lighter miix but still seems to weld OK.

At work we have Stainshield.

I've not used argoshield light with stainless so I am of no help there.

Confusing stuff but I think it is best with a helium mix.

there is a black oxidation beside the weld, that depending on what finish you want, you will have to acid clean and blend back to suit. It will do the job well though, plus you will be able to use it for any steel work you wanna do. Saves getting two cylinders. (Thats for mig process, straight argon for tig.)

Originally Posted by brenton21

there is a black oxidation beside the weld, that depending on what finish you want, you will have to acid clean and blend back to suit. It will do the job well though, plus you will be able to use it for any steel work you wanna do. Saves getting two cylinders. (Thats for mig process, straight argon for tig.)

Almost any gas will produce a weld for sure. It takes the correct gas to produce a weld of good appearance and suitable mechanical and physical proerties. Ask yourself why you are using stainless for a given job? Corrosion resistance? Heat resistance? Appearance? You most probably will sacrifice one or more of those prorerties if you choose to go the higher CO2 pathway, (Argoshield Light). Unfortunately this compromising of the material may not be fully apparent for some extended period after you perform the work. My advice, don't mess around. Stainless is an expensive product and is far more time consuming than steel to work with generally speaking. You don't want unexpected failure down the track, think of say a weld corroding 3 months after you have installed a job somewhere or a component failing due to internal corrosion leading to injury.
I cannot think of a single reason other than emergency repair, when compromising on consumables would be a recommended practice.
I don't know what you are welding, but perhaps consider the use of ss electrodes and stick weld it if you cannot justify the extra gas, although you are obviously going to but a roll of ss wire so must be considering doing a bit of work.

Thanks for the replies. Very helpful. At this stage what I am making is just a prototype. Stainless is proposed for appearance purposes and the welds will not be seen in either this or the finished good. If it works, then I will be having the welding done by a workshop geared up for stainless.

Cheers

Originally Posted by Enfield Guy

Thanks for the replies. Very helpful. At this stage what I am making is just a prototype. Stainless is proposed for appearance purposes and the welds will not be seen in either this or the finished good. If it works, then I will be having the welding done by a workshop geared up for stainless.

Cheers

I see, in that case then I would simply hit it with steel wire and whatever gas you currently use. Argoshield light would be fine if that is what you normally use, so would CO2, Argoshield Universal, Heavy or any other gas intended for steel.