Somehow or another the small roll of 0.8mm 316EL MIG wire I had has been used up without my knowledge.
This leaves me having to replace the wire tomorrow in a big hurry. The parent metal is 316 SS and the gas is Argon (that is empty too FFS). The application is above water marine fabrication. I was only using 316EL as I got it from TradeMe one day. I know little about MIG welding.
Do I need 316EL for things like rod holders on a boat, or can I use a lesser grade wire, and if so what do I ask for!
drew2009,
Sep 8, 9:22pm
always use 316EL for 316 especially in marine. has a higher corrosion resistance compared to say 304. You want 316 wire, it is a good all round stainless wire than can be used for some lesser grades to i have it all in a textbook somewhere but cant be bothered digging it out, should say on pack. I used to be a stainless pipe fitter and we always used 316 wire for MIG or TIG unless it was a special stainless that needed a special grade. With a MIG its no different to welding steel really except remember it warps approx twice as much!
unclejake,
Sep 8, 9:26pm
Yeah, it warps alright, but what I don't know is if I need 316EL wire or just 316 wire.
It sounds from your reply that any 316 wire will be OK!
EDIT: Oh, I see you have made it clear I need the EL now. Thanks.
Dang.
unclejake,
Sep 8, 9:31pm
What is 315LSI then Drew! Is that no good!
drew2009,
Sep 8, 9:32pm
It would not be the end of the world to use plain 316 wire it is just what i have always used. Sorry i thought you meant using some kind of diffrent grade all together, I'm with ya now.
drew2009,
Sep 8, 9:33pm
cant say i have ever heard of it! does it say anything about welding 316 in the info!
unclejake,
Sep 8, 9:35pm
I am looking here mate. I assume I need a solid wire! I appreciate the advice.
Basically don't let the letters after the grade worry you to much, as long as it has 316 in the name, it will weld 316 just fine looking at an analysis of the different grades the difference is piffle.
drew2009,
Sep 8, 9:40pm
and yup that weldwell 316LSI wire would be just the thing. yup you would want solid wire there is actually stainless steel fluxcore wire but its more of a specialised thing.
unclejake,
Sep 8, 9:43pm
Lovely. Thanks untold.
drew2009,
Sep 8, 10:35pm
All the letters stand for is the carbon grade and any possible additives they have put in there for ease of welding, crack reduction ect. 316 = Standard 316 composition wire 316L = slightly lower carbon than 316 316H = slightly higher carbon than 316 316LSI = slightly lower carbon than 316 with added silicon to improve welding.
For under 7mm thickness 316 stainless you could use any one of these wires and barely even notice the difference, however when welding thicker stainless sections using a lower carbon content (316L) becomes more important to control the weld defects like cracking ect.
Happy welding and good luck
saki,
Sep 9, 10:55am
argoshield not argon
unclejake,
Sep 9, 11:06am
Argon not Argoshield
drew2009,
Sep 9, 1:05pm
Argoshield (Argon & Co2) is fine for stainless steel MIG welding (exactly the same gas as used for mild steel). However pure Argon is also fine for stainless steel or mild steel MIG. The only difference with pure argon is that you will get shallower weld penetration which is ideal for thinner sheet sections (under 3mm), no good for thicker sections. also less chance of gas porosity. If your heat settings are right and your welds are good then there is no reason straight argon would cause major problems like improper fusion, cracking ect, just be careful that you have enough heat.
With either gas also be careful not to have the gas pressure turned up to high, This can be a common mistake with MIG.
unclejake,
Oct 16, 9:05pm
It is Argon that I have so it is Argon that I will use. It has been fine on the 1.2mm wall thickness tube I have been working with.
Most Wellington agents were out of stock, but I finally tracked down a 5kg roll of 316 wire this afternoon. It isn't cheap!
Thanks for your help. I am sorted for tonight's job now
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