Stainless Steel Pipe Welding Tips and Videos

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A good argon purge is one of the most important things for stainless pipe roots.

Without a good purge, you risk a root pass that is granulated aka sugared. 

That is another way of saying the root is heavily oxidized to the point where it  loses corrosion properties as well as being crack sensitive due to stress risers in the rough surface of a sugared root pass.

Argon is the most common gas for purging.

Remember that argon is heavier than air and displaces oxygen from the pipe.

Think of purging with argon like filling a pipe with water.

The water is heavier than air and will seek the low places and displace the air....

But only if there are properly placed vents to prevent trapped areas.

Just like household plumbing, you need proper vents in order for the argon to move freely and completely displace all the air.

In order to get a proper purge, you need vent holes in the topmost areas to allow air to be displaced.

You will usually be using some type of tape to close off ends and cutting an X with a razor will allow pressure to escape when finishing a weld. 

Purge plugs or caps are sometimes used and some of them have a vent hole or vale to allow for venting.

Another often ignored tip is water or moisture inside the pipe.  

Even a drop of water can mess up a purge so make sure all water is removed from the inside before purging.

Walking the Cup Video on TIG Welding 

Carbon to Stainless Steel Pipe Welding TIG purged root

Sanitary Stainless along with Purge Tips

If you want to dive into Sanitary Stainless TIG Welding, this video will be a great help for you

Best Tungsten electrode for tig welding stainless

Filler metal for tig welding stainless steel

TIG welding filler metal is in stock at Weldmonger.com

Filler metal for TIG welding stainless steel pipe is usually specified by a welding procedure.

Usually the closest match is used.

304L is the most commonly welded stainless pipe and ER308L  is the most common filler used for 304L stainless

316L stainless is used where more corrosion resistance is needed and ER316L filler rod is usually specified.

321 stainless is used a lot in motorsports as well as aerospace and either 321 filler or 347 filler is used depending on procedure

Here is a link to a filler metal selection chart for stainless steels