Stainless steel remains a most sought-after metal based on its exceptional elements. This metal is used in a range of applications and is also possesses an attractive finish after fabrication.
Stainless steel can also be welded with a lot of processes, but a lot of operators still ask – Can you weld stainless steel with normal MIG wire? Yes, you can, but with all underlying features fitted just right.
If you’re a home welder, your search for info that’ll make your MIG welding common than imagined is right here!
You may’ve recently gotten some inert gas welders under 1000 bucks, and you’d be keen to know if you can get stainless steel welded. You’d also get correct facts on how to use metal iner gas in welding any type of stainless steel plates you’ve got.
Why is MIG Welding Right for Stainless Steel?
Inert gas welding is ideal for joining a lot of metals. It’s also good for welding stainless steel based on the following reasons;
It uses a shielding gas
MIG welding makes use of a shielding gas responsible for encouraging greater arcs and energy generation for a much stronger weld.
Since stainless steel has low heat conductivity, using a welding application that features a shielding gas is perfect for the task.
Solid wire electrode
Stainless steel is susceptible to heat distortion when placed under very hot temperatures. A solid wire electrode is perfect for creating a strong stainless steel join as it’ll form better than other compound-based electrodes.
To ensure stainless steel doesn’t get warped, you’ve got to make a proper choice for a shielding gas. Pick a shielding gas operable with your welder and allows the right amount of heat buildup for a perfect join.
Pulsed current supply
When you’re using inert gas welding equipment in joining steel plates, you’ll get a
How to Set Your MIG Welder in Joining Stainless Steel
Tune your welder’s polarity
Your welder should be set to direct current (DC) positive (+) to create a reaction between your feeder, wire, and steel surface.
Use stainless steel MIG wire
For perfect results, you have to use a stainless steel MIG wire. While its settled stainless steel wire should run through your feeder, your chosen diameter is debatable. In a lot of cases, your selected stainless steel MIG wire is determined by the base metal you need welded.
It’s a better option to make use of austenitic steel wire. Using this wire creates a better finish as it forms martensite and pearlite ensuring a more rigid weld. In stores right now, you can get a .316, .309. or .308 wire. Generally, you’d have to make a choice based on your intended join’s width.
Since stainless steel requires alloys to maintain its strength and durability, your chosen wire should too. Ensure you choose and LSi designated steel wire to put your welds together.
With LSi wires, you’re sure of a low carbon, high silicone content for a smoother weld pool and finer results.
Tweak wire feed speed
Your wire feed speed also plays a huge role in welding stainless steel with normal MIG wire. If you’re welding mild steel, it’s more comfortable to manage as you’d use a lower wire feed speed.
But for much thicker stainless steel, a faster wire feed speed is required to create a larger welding pool. With this significant welding pool, a better finish is assured post-weld.
Using a correct wire feed speed will assure better contact with your base metal and make welding stainless steel better to handle.
Control voltage settings
To get a better weld from your engine, what you need is to check its chart for voltage settings for stainless steel. For good results, your wire has to melt in to the bottom point of your metal plates.
Since MIG welding has greater potential for better steel welding, you’ll likely find only carbon steel listed on your machine’s chart. Don’t get worked up! Use the recommended setting for your type of steel and increase or decrease the voltage when you notice undesired results.
When welding stainless steel that’s much thicker, ensure you get the arc right with a higher voltage setting. The higher voltage will make the weld stick better and create your desired join with a smoother puddle.
Use tri – mix welding gas or high – argon gas
If your process involves welding stainless steel, you need a gas with significant energy conductivity. Gases such as high helium and argon/carbon mixture are ideal. You could also fancy a high argon gas (98 %+) for your MIG process.
If you’re keen on making a slower, tighter weld, go for a high argon based shield gas. But helium works faster on your MIG welder and creates a more even puddle on your base metals.
FAQ
Can you MIG weld stainless steel with flux core wire?
Stainless steel can be welded with flux core wire, but not like TIG and other arc welding processes. For proper MIG stainless steel welding, argon or another capable shield gas is required.
Can you join stainless steel with a regular wire feeder welder?
You can cheaply join stainless steel with a wire feed welder. But you need to have the right settings on your welder to get the join you desire.
Can you join stainless with mild steel wire?
Mild steel wire can only be used to weld thin-plated steel. It won’t give desired results when used on much thicker stainless steel plates.
Wrap
With all the info at your disposal, the stainless material you’re keen on welding will be more comfortable to handle.
When you apply the facts you’ve learned in this read, you won’t ask can you weld stainless steel with normal MIG wire anymore! You’d be in control of your welding process and get welds together professionally.