Continue to Site

Eng-Tips is the largest engineering community on the Internet

Intelligent Work Forums for Engineering Professionals

  • Congratulations KootK on being selected by the Eng-Tips community for having the most helpful posts in the forums last week. Way to Go!

Welding 304L PLate to A500B Tube

Status
Not open for further replies.

atlarson

Mechanical
Apr 15, 2002
47
Can anyone tell me the appropriate procedure or specification for the welding of 304L stainless plate to ASTM A500B carbon steel tubing? The application is a piece of handling equipment for an aerospace company.

Thanks
 
Replies continue below

Recommended for you

Not sure what an A500B is as I don’t have the spec. However if it were a normal weldable carbon manganese steel you would use a higher alloyed stainless filler wire such as a 309.

The problem is dilution, as you mix carbon steel with stainless steel you create a chrome steel which is very hardenable, even a 309 consumable may not be suitable if dilution is high. Do a procedure test and run a hardness survey across the joint to make sure you have no hard areas.

You might get some useful help and guidance from consumable suppliers/manufacturers

Regards

john@gowelding.com

 
atlarson,
I am impressed that the aerospace specs
did not cover the type of weld. I would
contact them. They may be able to offer
some info, but maybe you are lucky not
to have a spec by them. Maybe it is some
liability issue. Do the welds have to be
certified?
 
i agree with welding1, that 309 is the filler of choice for most "stainless" to carbon steel welds. he also mentions that dilution can cause a problem.
my experience has been that if i am to machine this connection after welding, i will use er347.
i am not a metallurgist, but i suspect the niobium and tantalum prevent the formation of "hard spots". all other properties are similar to 309--it's just a little pricey.
finally, as diamondjim mentions, if this is a liabilty issue, let the DE's come up with a welding procedure. maybe they'll bolt it instead!
 
Electrode selection is determined from the base metal chemistries and the percent weld admixture. The electrode should produce a weld deposit with a small amount of ferrite (3-5 FN) needed to prevent cracking. Use 309L (including ER309LSi) when joining mild steel or low alloy steel to stainless steels.
 
To all---I've been using 309 wire and stick when joining SS with SAE1020 or 41whatever TS with very good results over the years.
To chph---never tried E347---any other reason for this beside what you mention?

To diamondjim---I have found it rather common to lack weld specs on equiptment from outside contractors for aerospace tooling. It never became a problem for me but, I can see the possibility/probability of abuse.


Rod
 
evelrod, ever had outgassing and porosity problems when o.f. or gta welding unknown steels? try some 347. the niobium is a great scavenger and prevents carbides from forming. works better than alka-seltzer[haha].
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Part and Inventory Search

Sponsor