Welding ASTM A-108 1213-1215 1

[MatEngTED]

Need information on welding ASTM A-108 1213-1215. It is screw machine stock and the only information found to date is that it is not considered weldable because of the high sulfur content.

Background information:
Thickest joint member is 3/8". Welding process that needs to be used is GMAW or GTAW. Customer requires parts to be made from 1213 so no option of switching material.

In addition to any information provided, please consider the following questions:
1. Would any pre/post heat treatment help with potential cracking?

2. SCT-GMAW seems to recommend Argon w/ 10 to 25% CO2 - is this correct?

3. The SCT process seems to be used for thinner joint members, will this process work for a part with the thickest joint at about 3/8?

4. What about electrode selection?

Thanks!

 

[metengr]

MatEngTED;
Why are you even attempting to weld this type of steel when you know that the risk of hot cracking from sulfur and embrittlement from phosphorus are major concerns? Step up and tell the customer what you stated in the first sentence of your post. You are not a welding magician and we will not be able to provide you with a magic wand.

Off the record, you can try the advice below. I would strongly encourage you to weld a coupon FIRST to demonstrate if the technique below works or fails miserably.

Background information:
Thickest joint member is 3/8". Welding process that needs to be used is GMAW or GTAW. Customer requires parts to be made from 1213 so no option of switching material.

In addition to any information provided, please consider the following questions:

1. Would any pre/post heat treatment help with potential cracking?

No.

2. SCT-GMAW seems to recommend Argon w/ 10 to 25% CO2 - is this correct?

I would not recommend GMAW or GTAW. Instead, SMAW. If you absolutely need to use GMAW or GTAW, go with GMAW and keep the heat input as low as possible.

3. The SCT process seems to be used for thinner joint members, will this process work for a part with the thickest joint at about 3/8?

Again, I would use SMAW.

4. What about electrode selection?

I would probably stick with an E7018 or an E7010 low hydrogen, 3/32" diameter weld rod and keep heat input as low as possible. The key is to lay stringers with some overlap to avoid entrapping manganese sulfide stringers in the weld deposit that would result in hot cracking or porosity. The only thing you have going for you is the low carbon content.

 

[metengr]

Correction to the filler metal E7015 not E7010.