Stainless Steel TIG welding settings

Here are a few main points to think about when it comes to stainless steel tig welding settings:

• Almost all tig welding on stainless is done with DCEN current. i use the word "almost" because you cant really say "All" when it comes to welding.
• There are a handful of very specific procedures where stainless is welded using AC
• Some stainless steel like sanitary tubing is often welded without filler metal and a fancy word for that is "autogenous welding"
• The main shielding gas for tig welding stainless is pure Argon
• Full penetration stainless steel tig welds need argon shielding on the back side to prevent a condition called granulation aka "sugaring"

Sanitary Stainless TIG welding uses pure argon

One Industry where TIG welding stainless is done a lot is sanitary stainless tubing welding for food and beverage..and also pharmaceutical.

For sanitary stainless tig welding, the main thing is quality of the purge and the surface of the root on the inside diameter.

This requires a good argon purge as well as the right amperage and right technique.

Great video with Tips For TIG welding Stainless Steel

Here are a few best practices for TIG welding stainless steels:

• purge the back side of any full penetration stainless weld with argon
• use only stainless steel wire brushes that have only been used on stainless steel 
• use only abrasives that have only been used on stainless
• Get your puddle started quickly and get moving quickly to avoid excessive build up of heat
• use a gas lens setup and a larger diameter cup.  a Furick fupa 12 or a large diameter gas lens kit will work great.
• stainless steel requires less amperage than carbon steel due to low thermal conductivity
• one size smaller filler metal often helps with tig welding stainless steel

Heat tint removal and passivation

What is the best tungsten electrode for TIG welding stainless steel

There are several types of tungsten that work fine for tig welding stainless steel and here are the top 4 types of tungsten that work best for tig welding stainless steel

1. 2% thoriated is still the best performing tungsten for stainless but is reported to be somewhat radioactive.  Opinions differ on whether 2% thoriated tungsten is safe but it is still widely used for tig welding stainless steels.
2. Ceriated tungsten is not a bad choice and stays sharp quite a while and is OK for aluminum at low to medium amperage
3. LaYZr and E3 both work well for stainless and as all purpose tungsten for both stainless , aluminum and other metals.  ( to me they perform the same)
4. 2% lanthanated is a great single choice for keeping things simple and works great for stainless, aluminum, and all other metals.