When welding stainless steels it is adviaisable to follow the general welding guidelines valid for the type of steel, e.g. austenitic, ferritic. Stainless steels have, due to their chemical compositions, a higher thermal elongation compared to mild steels. This may increase welddeformation. Dependent of weld metal microstructure they might also be more sensitive to hotcracking and sensitive to intermetallic precepitations compared to mild steels.

A general rule might be that stainless steels should be welded with somewhat lower heat-input compared to welding of mild steels. Stainless steels can be welded with the most common used welding methodes. Welding with oxy-acetylen shall however be avoided due to carbon pick up. Further information can be seen in  the European standard document, EN 1011-3, or in our welding handbook.

A fundamental difference to weldments in stainless steels compared to welds in mild steels is the need for cleaning after welding. Stainless steel weldments exposed to a wet corrosion exposure normally require removals of weldoxides, slag and other surface contamination.