Welds in Vacuum systems, and their problems

[123Dog]

In mass spectrometers under Vacuum you try to build in the minimum amount of welds, you try and make parts (from solid Stainless that is )

One prob is you may have a tiny leak thru a weld, another is you may have welding gas, from the weld, escaping into the vacuum

My question

Can you solution treat SS and cure maybe the escaping gas, problem
I doubt whether solution heattreat would also cure tiny holes or porosity in the weld , on the microscopic level that is

Thanks for any input

 

[SMF1964]

You are correct in that heat treating the stainless steel would not fix the porosity or pinholes in the weld.

I don't think you need to heat it up to solution heat treatment temperatures - typically, you can drive off the smaller gas elements with a lower temperature like 300-400°F. I would think a similar bake would work on Argon shielding gas.