Shielding Gases for
Welding Stainless Steels
Glenn Allen IWE
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Shielding Gases for Stainless Steels
The material contained in this powerpoint
presentation has kindly been supplied by:
Bob Eden, EngTech TechWeldI,
Technical Support Engineer, BOC
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Shielding Gases for Stainless Steels
Copyright © TWI Ltd 2015
Shielding Gases for Stainless Steels
Shielding Gas affects
Shielding effect
Welding Speed
Corrosion and mechanical properties
Arc stability
Weld profile
Surface appearance
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Shielding Gases for Stainless Steels
No single gas has an optimum suitability for all
shielding applications.
Different gases exhibit different characteristics
that can be used to influence the welding ard and
deposited weld metal.
Each component of a shielding gas mixture is
carefully selected to provide optimum benefits, in
quantities from 0.05% - 100%.
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Shielding Gases for Stainless Steels
Gas Components
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Shielding Gases for Stainless Steels
Thermal Conductivity of shielding gas components
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Shielding Gases for Stainless Steels
Effects of gases on welds
Helium
Broader/deeper penetration profile
Increased deposition rates
Flatter weld beads
May decrease arc stability
Hydrogen
Deeper penetration
Increased deposition rates
Mainly used for austenitics (to avoid hydrogen
cracking)
Advantages of CO2 compared to O2
Better penetration
Increased deposition rates
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Shielding Gases for Stainless Steels
MIG / MAG Welding
Oxidising components are added to Argon
to stabilise the arc (2-4% CO2, 1-2%O2)
Excessive oxidation will occur on
‘stainless steels’ with more than these
levels.
Excessive He can cause arc instability.
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Shielding Gases for Stainless Steels
Effects on arc stability
Argon Argon + 2.5% CO2
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Shielding Gases for Stainless Steels
Effects of Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide & Helium
Ar + 2%O2 Ar + 2.5%CO2 Ar + 2%CO2 +38%He
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Shielding Gases for Stainless Steels
TIG welding; Effects of He & H2
100% Ar Ar + 50%He 100% He
100% Ar Ar + 5%H2 Ar + 15%H2
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Shielding Gases for Stainless Steels
TIG welding; Effects of H2 on profile
Same parameters
Argon Argon + H2
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Shielding Gases for Stainless Steels
TIG welding; Effects of H2 on profile
Increased speed
Argon Argon + H2
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Shielding Gases for Stainless Steels
TIG welding; Effects of Helium on profile
Same parameters
Argon Argon + 30%He Argon + 50%He
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Shielding Gases for Stainless Steels
TIG welding; Effects of Helium on profile
Increased speed
Argon Argon + He
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Shielding Gases for Stainless Steels
Corrosion Resistant properties
Oxidizing components may decrease corrosion
resistance
Loss of alloying elements
Increase in surface oxides
Hydrogen reduces surface oxide formation
Nitrogen increases corrosion resistance
(pitting)
Nitrogen alloyed stainlesses, ie Duplexes
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Shielding Gases for Stainless Steels
Influence of gases on oxide formation, TIG
Argon Ar + 1.5% H2 Ar + 5% H2
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Shielding Gases for Stainless Steels
Influence of gases on oxide formation, MAG
Ar + 2% O2 Ar + 2.5% CO2 Ar + 2% CO2 + 38% He
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Shielding Gases for Stainless Steels
Influence of shielding gas on Distortion.
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Shielding Gases for Stainless Steels
Consult your gas supplier!
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Copyright
Presentation prepared by TWI for the
Stainless Steel – Quality Fabrication Seminar
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End of presentation
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