Welding boron steel

[Deltic]

I have to replace a missing front loader bucket cutting edge on a JCB. I have found a company that does them and have enquired as to the correct welding procedures to use but received only this sketchy reply:

"The bucket cutting edges are made of Mill rolled boron steel.


As to welding, the cutting edge needs to be warmed though (and obviously needs to be dry)."

Having done a little research I'm not even sure if it is likely to be boron steel. I'm not sure that they really know what they are selling.

Does anybody know if it is likely for these to be made from boron steel? And does anybody know the correct procedures for welding boron steel? My google search really hasn't thrown anything up.

Thanks.

 

[Welderpaul]

Likely to be Hardox or Weldox, or some form of similar wear resistant steel.
Cutting edge and bucket edge usually needs warming - 250 degrees ish from memory, and keep the heat down in the plate to avoid frying it and starting to loose the properties. It's quite forgiving though.

 

[TechnicAl]

I agree with Paul, they are usually HARDOX or equivalent

Boron steel is usually thin (ish) section........more sheet than plate

 

[rory1]

ive always used 7018 with no preheat on cutting edges and wearing parts on buckets, not had any problems as of yet.

Although as Paul says above, manufacturers recommend preheat

 

[Deltic]

Thanks for the advice guys. I thought that it was more likely to be Hardox or similar.

ive always used 7018 with no preheat on cutting edges and wearing parts on buckets, not had any problems as of yet.

Rory so you just weld them with 7018 without any special measures then? I am aware that the manufacturers of Hardox say that its ok to weld it without preheat using 309 stainless rods and was thinking of doing this as my ability to heat such a large chunk of steel up to the required temperatures is limited. Oh for oxy propane!

 

[rory1]

I avoid stainless/dissimilar rods if at all possible on this kind of repair as it makes it more difficult to repair the bucket in the future as you have to grind out all the welds as oxy/fuel won't touch the stainless

 

[Deltic]

I avoid stainless/dissimilar rods if at all possible on this kind of repair as it makes it more difficult to repair the bucket in the future as you gave to grind out all the welds as oxy/fuel won't touch the stainless

I see. Yes that could cause an issue at some point. I might give the 7018s a try with no preheat if it can be done successfully. Thanks for the advice.

 

[premmington]

I avoid stainless/dissimilar rods if at all possible on this kind of repair as it makes it more difficult to repair the bucket in the future as you have to grind out all the welds as oxy/fuel won't touch the stainless

I have made this mistake before using 312 rods!

 

[zzr1200]

Hardox 400/450 up to 20mm no preheat required.

http://www.hardox.com/en/Handling/Preheating1/

hth