Stainless steels can be readily welded, with no great loss of corrosion performance or mechanical properties if undertaken properly. A Welding Procedure Specification defines the appropriate weld techniques and settings, filler metals and any shrouding gases.
Can stainless steel be welded?
Frequently asked questions
Does welding reduce stainless steel's corrosion resistance?
Not if it is done properly. Stainless steel can be readily welded with no great loss of corrosion performance or mechanical properties, provided the correct welding procedure, filler metal and technique are used for the grade being joined.
What governs how stainless steel should be welded?
A Welding Procedure Specification (WPS) defines the appropriate welding technique, settings, filler metals and any shielding or shrouding gases needed for a given grade and joint, so the weld is made consistently and to a proven, qualified procedure.
Does every stainless steel grade weld in the same way?
No. Different grades - austenitic, duplex or ferritic - behave differently during welding, particularly around heat input and cooling rate, which is exactly why a Welding Procedure Specification is written for the specific grade and joint rather than applied generically across all stainless steels.
Request a quote
Tell us the grade, form and sizes.
Fast quotes from UK and US stock - bar, plate and pipe, cut and certified to spec.