Supplied with ER309L SS filler rod?

[Noods]

Hi All..

Pleased to update and say ... The Suns been out I've a couple of days off, for a change, and my mild steel welding is great...

I thought it time to move onwards and upwards..I went to a place ( nameless ) who specialise in marine SS welding, as they offered me some offcuts at a cheap rate.. While there knowing I had no ss rod at NöÔDLe Towers, I asked what rod do they use and can I buy a few lengths... They abliged, and gave me.. 1.6mm ER309L SS filler rod? Now speaking with Richard I know 308L rod is one I should think about buying, but 309? I looked on the forum ss section at a chart on there and it is mentioned.. I've got a supply of marine grade stainless tube but I can't see any numbers on it as they are off cuts... Having said that, early days but tried it tonight and it went very well ish.. My only concern was the welds although neat ish were a darkish grey colour.. I was on 2mm and 4mm ss stock.. I varied the amps at between 35 and 50amps thinking it might be too much heat! I had no purge as its only practice joints, 1.6 red tip Thor tungsten DC with pure argon set at 4 with a gas lens fitted.. Perhaps I'm just expecting too much?

Also I welded a 32mm tube into a hole in a 50mm tube which went well, is that joint I've created an inner joint?
If you imagine I've now welded two pieces into each other to form a capital T...

Many thanks .. Sorry forgot to get pics but need to buy some rod ASAP now, just which one?

Hugs .. Barking NöÔDs X

 

[Brad93]

309L is a stainless rod usually used for welding disimillar metals. It depends on the grade of stainless you have bought as to which rod you need. I.e. 316 stainless needs 316 rod. 304 stainless can be welded with 308 or 316.

 

[Noods]

309L is a stainless rod usually used for welding disimillar metals. It depends on the grade of stainless you have bought as to which rod you need. I.e. 316 stainless needs 316 rod. 304 stainless can be welded with 308 or 316.

Is there anyway I can tell what grade of ss offcuts I have?

 

[RichardM]

if it's marine it will probably be 316.

 

[Richard.]

Yes as above if it's marine grade it will almost certainly be 316.
You should look at getting some 316 filler for that. 309 is a heavy alloyed stainless for joining ms to SS. The over alloying compensates for the lack of alloy in ms thus creating an austenitic joint.
308 is more commonly used with 304. The stainless info on the tutorials is pretty good and explains better than I can.
4 lpm is a bit ambitious and probably the reason for your dull looking weld. I know you've lost a lot of gas but don't be tight. 6 lpm through a lens on SS would be a good starting point.
2 MM I'd be at 40-50 amps joint depending and 4mm 80-100. Again joint depending. Decent Travel speed is the key along with nice gas coverage. This will enable you to produce lovely shiny SS welds.

 

[Noods]

Yes as above if it's marine grade it will almost certainly be 316.
You should look at getting some 316 filler for that. 309 is a heavy alloyed stainless for joining ms to SS. The over alloying compensates for the lack of alloy in ms thus creating an austenitic joint.
308 is more commonly used with 304. The stainless info on the tutorials is pretty good and explains better than I can.
4 lpm is a bit ambitious and probably the reason for your dull looking weld. I know you've lost a lot of gas but don't be tight. 6 lpm through a lens on SS would be a good starting point.
2 MM I'd be at 40-50 amps joint depending and 4mm 80-100. Again joint depending. Decent Travel speed is the key along with nice gas coverage. This will enable you to produce lovely shiny SS welds.

As always your words fill me with positivity... Thank you.. X

 

[TechnicAl]

309L does look a bit grayer than 316L and 304L

is grayer a proper word

310 is even more grayer

I think its the Chromium content that does it