TIG Welding – Thick and thin
My latest welding experiment was some 1mm stainless steel strips to some 5mm mild steel square bar. Joining thick and thin has previously caused me problems when welding with MIG and I’m not sure how it copes with mixed materials. The advantage here for TIG is it’s ability to mix metals and the control over the arc which makes it suitable for thinner materials.
I filed off all of the millscale from the 5mm bar, this was not needed on the stainless. When fitting up, I clampped some heavy duty bar on top of the thin sheets to take away some of the heat. The arc was struck on the 5mm bar and then the puddle was washed over the thinner strip to avoid it burning away too much. No filler was used except for a couple where I’d burnt back the metal. I used a 1.6mm tungsten and the current setting was 60A.
I believe that the reddish colour on some of the welds is a problem but I’ve not had any feedback yet.
Posted in: Welding
Materials: Mild Steel, Stainless Steel
Tags: TIG
Metal sculpture in brass, mounted on an 1800s French Coin
The red colour is an oxide and can be scraped off. Its an indication that that section got hotter, possibly due to a variation in arc length or not leaving the post gas flow on the area.
It was also suggested that for welding mild to stainless steel a disimilar filler rod should be used e.g. 309L