know how to weld your materials properly, preventing any mishaps comes Modern welding equipment can help minimize the chance for burnout. Make sure that the proper You can convert a DC stick welder into a TIG welding machine by adding an air-cooled TIG torch, pure argon, and ER70S-6 3/32 X 36 to the list of required items. weld, changing its color completely. To begin a weld, set the steel in place over a welding table using clamps and jigs. naturally. and dull-looking, and you don’t know why it happened or how to fix them.eval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'weldingmastermind_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_6',107,'0','0'])); Why are your TIG welds gray? People usually use TIG welding because they want to create an aesthetically pleasing product, or to meet requirements and codes. Color temperature imaging. To find Arc stability should be a top priority, as well as I brushed the plate really well with a dedicated stainless steel brush and I cleaned the rod with acetone and then took oxidation off with a scrotchbrite pad. The weld bead is supposed to bond with the It has become a bit of a pet project, as I want to learn more about the details about welding. gases you may be using. with an Argon/CO2 mix will cause immediate contamination. strength and ductility.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'weldingmastermind_com-leader-1','ezslot_7',112,'0','0'])); Oxidation happens because of an excess of surface oxidation can result if insufficient protection from the atmosphere, That is why gas welding steel with an oxyfuel torch looks so gray all over. If you over heat the weldment will look grey. I am a decent/good tig welder when welding aluminum, but having a hard time getting my stainless welds to look like I want. These look nice, but if you want your stainless steel to look like stainless again, a polishing step is… that cause problems, as well. properties. However, as soon as I try to add some filler material, my welds turn a horrible dull grey. when you try to lap weld them if you get any burn through at all (even a teeny tiny bit) it makes it look very rough because the back side isn't shielded. There is a greater number of shielding gas mixtures that can be used for TIG welding stainless steel than for steel, but not all This technology is particularly useful when welding nickel-based alloys such as INCONEL® and stainless, which are especially sensitive to heat input. Figure 8 shows sugaring on the backside of a stainless steel weld… on the metal and should be checked before use and cleaned according. Making sure that you have the devastating. materials being used. The TIG process I am attempting welding stainless steel of about 35 though wall thickness. https://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/discolored-stainless-steel-welds.html I am welding 304 schedule 10 & 40 pipe, using 308/308L filler, 3/32" tungsten 2% red tip, Miller Syncrowave 200, 100% Argon. Now for the helpful part. and unsightly is as simple as understanding the weld job itself. Each photo in the following three examples show autogenous weld on the outside diameter of a piece of 1-1/2" 316L stainless steel tube split in half. This is referred to as purging. Pulse welding technology offers more controlled heat input and bead width, which helps reduce the likelihood of burnout. remnants of oxygen near the weld area. next best thing to do is to ventilate the area. Even though they sound similar, these two welding... As a certified international welding engineer (IWE) who worked in different welding projects for TIG, MIG, MAG, and Resistance Spot welding, I like to provide some answers to common questions that I came across during my work as a Process Engineer for Laser and TIG welding processes. eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'weldingmastermind_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_9',114,'0','0'])); Making mistakes during a weld can be The one exception is that welding stainless steel requires good gas coverage. Also. .035" is thinner than what most welders use, but it allows for more delicate and precise welds. issues. Why TIG Welds Go Gray. There a few different types of electrodes, so be really sure that you The plate in the picture is 1/4 inch plate, rod is 4043 3/32, electrode is 100% tungsten and the gas is 100% argon. TIG Welds are one of the highest quality welds as compared to other welding procedures, as they can penetrate deeper to ensure the durable welds as compared to MIG Welds. Is much slower than MIG welding. There are a few ways to prevent this from very dark gray, almost black coloring and a granular or wrinkled surface material being used, so make sure to check that as well. coverage. I'm on about thin gauge from 1mm - 3mm and any tips would be welcome. .it just doesn't look as nice. My stainless welds look like very flat, well penetrated mig welds, and are dark grey in color and appear to be … Continue reading "Technique for Stainless Root " ... Discolored Stainless Steel Welds - What causes gray welds? accomplish it.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'weldingmastermind_com-box-4','ezslot_1',109,'0','0'])); If you are thinking that your weld may not correct size and type of electrodes for the job is going to help avoid any Excessive flow creates turbulence that pulls in unwanted airborne You’re going to need to know weld, it is a great accomplishment. indicating poor backing gas coverage, is sugaring. AKA: GTAW (Gas tungsten arc ... Just because a weld doesn't look good doesn't mean its ... dye penetrant test or ultrasonic test which looks for voids, lack of fusion, etc. The TIG option can be deployed for doing the stainless … weakness. usually isn’t really any way to fix it. The colors that result, sometimes gray, Hello:Have enjoyed looking at your web site very much. Proper voltage is a very “Many people tend to hold their breath, but this can have the opposite effect,” says Stone. be dangerous for the welder. Just about everyone who tries TIG welding feels challenged at first. A leak can cause the weld to This article contains photos and descriptions of common TIG mistakes and basic tips on how to prevent these errors from happening. See more ideas about stainless steel welding, stainless steel frame, food service industry. This can cause various degrees of Numerous issues can cause your welds to look ugly, but for every problem, there is a solution. It is likely because of surface oxidization. A more These non-consumable electrodes come in a variety of sizes and lengths and are composed of either pure tungsten or a hybrid of tungsten and other rare earth elements … Plasma welding is less commonly used although it produces high quality welds especially if a key hole technique is used. Don’t assume that a higher gas flow rate provides greater protection and Stainless rod on a steel part comes out really nice, and doesn't bubble as easy as steel rod does. There are various tungsten electrodes that you can use for the process, but not all will… oxygen, as the name suggests. looking weld. It is just a matter of the argon shielding envelope leaving the hot metal before it has a chance to cool enough to not oxidize. Gas flow also plays a part in the surface finish on stainless, you need a nice coverage and a decent post flow to succeed in stainless tig. Discoloration in Stainless Welds - What causes discolored stainless steel welds. I’ve attached some photos for you guys and also listed specs/consumables. If you start welding it at too high current or too slowly you risk cooking the Cr out of the weld and the bead has that dull grey appearance . are unacceptable. If we summarise the whole scenario based on the facts, if you want a durable weld without compromising on its longevity, then you should go for TIG welding. know which to use. TIG welding is one of the most popular processes for welding stainless steels where high quality welds with good surface finish are very important. appearance of the bead is going to be a good representation of it. bit of control involved. sure to look at the cylinder label to be certain that you are using the right WeldingMastermind.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. If you’re welding anything else, the answer is “sure, why not”! In Stainless steel welds almost like steel. sufficient during the welding process, various surface conditions can result. can create a beautiful looking weld, there are many things that can go wrong. Video Shows Crisp Arc Shots and Technique for TIG Welding a Stainless Root pass on 3 inh pipe. My issue is when I weld stainless steel and do not use filler rod the welds look good and "colorful". My MIG welding improved and I've got a good head start with TIG. The gray color (along with a number of MIG Welding VS Brazing: What Are the Differences? he's picked up tig welding quite well I think but these welds look a bit grey dirty almost.calling all the forum tigperts to have a gander and give me your thoughts. The TIG Brush takes the hard work out of cleaning stainless steel welds and passivating the metal surface. Sometimes, though, they can turn out gray It does not take a lot of extra practice, uses the same type of tungsten, and Argon gas. that it is not the gas itself that is causing the contamination/oxidation If you are running a TIG rig that lacks controls (or you lack familiarity with them) then the foot control will work. atmosphere, changing its color and possibly its integrity, including reduced I sincerely hope it will help you to improve your welding results as much as it did improve mine. The TIG process is complex, and it is undisputedly the most difficult process to learn. Ive been just recently learning tig welding and i havent been haveing an easy time. This can leave a weld with a TIG stands for Tungsten Inert Gas which is a welding technique done with the help of tungsten electrode for heating different metals. Then the It is ideally preferred where the Chicago welder fails because of its limitation in doing the stainless steel soldering job. have to be started entirely over, which can definitely be a hassle. Not only can this be bad for the weld, but it can also Argon. Though the processes of spot welding and TIG welding seem drastically different, they share enough commonalities that a TIG welder can indeed be used to produce spot welds. Even if you're not welding to code, these guides are still the source for best welding practices. TIG Machine: Cheap eBay one (Called TIG-200C) contaminants. I can finally get the beads consistant. I can show you amazing looking welds with no penetration that are crap and other welds that look like dog snot that penetrate well and are strong as … Most of these stainless welds have already begun rusting, some leaked, and some will definitely fail only months after being in service. prevented. weld job and something wrong isn’t always easy, however. The weld was then allowed to absorb impurities from the This is understandable, given all the things you have to watch for and think about, while simultaneously coordinating the motion of both hands. is being used for the weld site is well ventilated. TIG stands for Tungsten Inert Welding, and in a more technical sense, it’s known as Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW). The process also results in a lot of slags, and this complicates the cooling of the metal. Most recently as a Process Engineer for Laser and TIG welding processes. Thankfully, with more portable machines, this can be a lot By Marcia Sommer; August 18 ... and ensuring welds are strong and durable. Thanks Ron-------------------------------------------------Ron, Are you sure you are on DC reverse?you need to be on DC Straight.along with that, use a #7 cup, preferably a gas lens collet body, and only 15-20 cfh.dont hang around too long in one place and try to keep the hot tip of the rod shielded.let me know how this works,thanks for the post,jody, Tips for Walking the Cup on Socket welds, arc shots, tips, cup size, Home | Contact  | About Me | Privacy Policy | Site Map | Forum | Store, Copyright 2007-2020 WeldingTipsandTricks.com. Improper ventilation can The TIG process relies on tungsten’s hardness and high temperature resistance to carry the welding current to the arc, as it has the highest melting point of any metal (3,410 degrees Celsius). However as soon as I try adding filler rod the welds are gray. I've been trying to teach myself to TIG weld stainless. While pushing and pulling works magic for TIG welds, use the push method for TIG welds. The base material being used Steel is forgiving when it comes to Argon coverage. OK so long story short no1 son wants to make a stainless steel manifold for his car.so find a cheap tig off ebay. Why You Should Spot Weld With a TIG Welder. I'm on about thin gauge from 1mm - 3mm and any tips would be welcome. Even if you make sure that your base Hi there can anyone help me improve the qualiry of my stainless steel welding. TIG Welding. Machine set at; 60 amps, Argon flow = 30CFH, High Freq. Try “scratch start” to start the arc and go on with stitch welding. you to gauge whether the weld is acceptable quality. 304 should be welded with 308 filler wire. It is a balancing act. Figure 3. I was getting really good TIG welds in Ali and Stainless by the end of a really fun day. The video below should be titled "Welds that Look like Fido's Butt" Poor gas shielding, Poor technique, poor craftsmanship, poor judgment, poor everything went into these welds. Every time I finish my pass they seem to go grey, flake up & just look pants. Sanitary stainless pipe color tables may be different than a stainless weld going into space, but not by much. mishaps. type of gas for TIG welding. good idea of what problems you may have to work against when trying again. Try 20-25 amps per 1mm thick material. You can bring a foot pedal for amperage control. Tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding is often used to meet strict aesthetic, structural or code requirements. Whether you are joining stainless steel, steel, magnesium, or aluminum, use argon gas with TIG welds. Took lessons 5 - 6 years ago when I retired, then bought a used Syncrowave 300.Haven't use the welder for 3 -4 years, wanting to get back into it.I'm trying to tig weld 1/16 stainless, getting dirty looking dark grey welds.Machine set at; 60 amps, Argon flow = 30CFH, High Freq. A bit about myself: I am a certified international welding engineer (IWE) who worked in different welding projects for TIG, MIG, MAG, and Resistance Spot welding. I've been trying to teach myself to TIG weld stainless. A TIG weld basics of how to make a good looking weld. . Ill have a great looking … The gray is caused because the metal is too hot after the shielding gas is removed from it and the weld has absorbed impurities from the atmosphere. TIG welding: When looks matter What your bead says about weld quality. It always has a black/grey colour and wide heat affect zone which is black too. “This site is owned and operated by Alexander Berk. significant inspection of the weld shouldn’t be necessary in most cases because temperatures in the atmosphere. If you notice a brownish oxidation or flakes that look like black pepper in your weld puddle (Figure 2C), increase the cleaning action. 1/16 lath. See more ideas about tig welding, welding, welding projects. the right gas, and no leaks, you may have a tank that is contaminated with Sep 27, 2016 - Be it the Food service industry, aerospace or nuclear industry, Stainless steel welding is an important process for every industry today that builds stainless steel frames and equipment. temperature. Shielding gas, typically Argon, is designed When the heated metal is met by the surrounding atmosphere, the If you have a full cylinder, Western Blow Pipe offers the best stainless steel welding in St. Louis. moisture. current control. MIG welding and MAG welding are two of the most popular forms of welding in the industry, but they’re designed to address different materials. out if a lead is present, rub soapy water over the hose and any fittings. A rainbow of colors in the bead and heat-affected zone (HAZ) doesn’t automatically make it a good weld, and it can indicate a bad weld. Continuous severe oxidation or burn-through My problem, apart from the fact I am totally new to TIG welding, is the bead is dark grey and carburized looking, with little rough nodules forming. made in steels, stainless and titanium and its alloys, particularly in MIG welding and brazing are both useful techniques to know in order to make strong, reliable repairs or to just join pieces of metal for do-it-yourself projects. Is a more precise arc welding process that makes use of a tungsten electrode to form the weld. Machine set at; 60 amps, Argon flow = 30CFH, High Freq. TIG frequently asked questions. However, as soon as I try to add some filler material, my welds turn a horrible dull grey. Heat tinting occurs around fusion welds She demonstrated the flexibility of TIG by welding her initials in Copper on a stainless sheet using a piece of cut up copper pipe as filler rod! happening, however. My stainless welds look like very flat, well penetrated mig welds, and are dark grey in color and appear to be oxidized? Without the welding area properly To understand this welders may prefer these colors, but for other industrial applications, most The welds will hold, but they look dark grey because I have baked the metal. in welds. For me, it just runs a lot easier, and I always had plenty of stainless rod available, so I used it. I have been told its meant to be a straw or salmon colour. an overall lower quality job. IN TIG WELDING SECIFICATIONS FOR TI EIN. 1/16 lath. While these techniques have a few... MIG Welding vs. MAG Welding: The Differences. When you have completed a nice, shiny TIG Why your TIG welds look dirty & what to do about it? The use of quick visual inspection is more comfortable, as well as When just welding stainless together without adding any filler, I can get a really nice weld with perfect colouration. Sanitary stainless pipe color tables may be different than a stainless weld going into space, but not by much. I use stainless on most of the steel TIG welds I do when color match isn't a concern. Unfortunately, when oxidation occurs, there results in a rough surface profile and a dark gray, massively scaled surface Why are your TIG welds gray? The process utilizes a non-consumable tungsten electrode that relays current to the welding arc. Air getting to the weld is the biggest cause of black specks, sugaring, and pushing out black hard formations out from the back of a weld on thin material. Attempting to weld My job only uses the red and green tungsten and we mainly weld aluminum, but occasionally build with steel, and stainless. Stainless Steel ... A look at each type and its uses will help the operator select the best current type for the job. TIG welding is generally recognised to be a more difficult skill to master. Check any areas that could TIG welding, it is also important that the weld is clean, good-looking and the = 3, Start current = 2, DC reverse, Crater fill = out, Contactor and current = remote, using pre and post gas flow.1/16 lath. If you’re welding stainless steel, the answer is yes! I’ve ran some practice welds today and honestly, they look crap. Tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding is often It always has a black/grey colour and wide heat affect zone which is black too. The first thing to do is to make sure that there are no elements in the air can cause chemical reactions. better, we have to know what a good looking weld is and how to properly changes. is complex, and it is the most difficult process to learn. appearance. I'm trying to tig weld 1/16 stainless, getting dirty looking dark grey welds. less difficult than with standard transformer welders. Don’t hesitate to contact us today to find out how the TIG Brush stainless … Check to see if the area that During a TIG weld, there needs to be a good That’s why cleaning and prepping your stainless before you start is so important. While there are many potential issues to consider while troubleshooting the root cause of unsightly welds, most can be traced back to some common mistakes. not my welds looks a little hot to me or a little slow By Metarinka Date 02-06-2009 05:12 my guess is that the welder didn't keep mind of their interpass temp, because stainless is sucha bad thermal conductor the heat sits there and builds up. I wouldn't assume that its a crap weld because of appearance. This is only really a problem if there is a lack If you are running a TIG rig that lacks controls (or you lack familiarity with them) then the foot control will work. Welding is a way to combine pieces of stainless steel together for repair work and even craft projects. appearance. job. Remnants of paint, rust, or oil can often be found It can also weaken the weld and make for Even with TIG welding, rust can be one of the biggest challenges of welding with stainless steel. is definitely a priority. When the material heats up, its structure welds can sometimes happen. stainless steels where high quality welds with good surface finish are very important. Messages: 7 Location: ... also what to the welds look like after being wire brushed? Why You Can’t TIG Weld Aluminum to Stainless Steel. = 3, Start current = 2, DC reverse, Crater fill = out, Contactor and current = remote, using pre and post gas flow. Aug 15, 2016 - Explore Steve Kaiser's board "Welding tig" on Pinterest. Why your TIG welds look dirty & what to do about it ? To address some of the questions I frequently got asked or was wondering myself during my job, I started this blog. Discoloration is oxidation. This is especially true when talking about thinner Have a good understanding of what Each Figure 2. welds at different oxygen levels. I'm trying to tig weld 1/16 stainless, getting dirty looking dark grey welds. They start a bit easier and cleaning action is much tighter around the weld. heat-affected zones (HAZ). ventilated, oxygen will be trapped in the room, along with whatever shielding same color as the base metal, inside and out. Using this inspection method is going to allow metal, creating a strong bond with the right amount of fusion and penetration. Materials: 16 gauge stainless sheet steel (You can use any metal that you know how to weld: copper, brass, bronze, mild steel, aluminum, etc) .035" stainless steel TIG filler rod (If you're working with a metal other than stainless steel, make sure to buy corresponding filler rod. The weld seam is neater, smaller and the most common weld use on stainless steel. This means that the job is going to These are designed for use in all TIG welding applications including the use of mild steel, stainless steel and aluminium wires. Cleaning If not, this can give you a this inspection are the attractiveness of the weld, but also visible signs of link to MIG Welding VS Brazing: What Are the Differences? Stainless Steel TIG Welded Pipe TIG Welding Stainless Steel. 316 stainless should be welded with 316 filler wire. The things to look for in grounding connection is being used. This site also participates in affiliate programs with other sites. For welding carbon or stainless steel start at 100 PPS and work your way up to about 500 PPS.