Welding Stainless Steel to 4130????

By hammerpe Date 03-13-2002 15:06

I am a design engineer and mainly work with welded aluminum structures. I was wondering if anyone can tell me what the compatability is for welding 4130 to 304 stainless steel. Currently a 4130 stud of 30.708mm O.D. is inserted into a 34.93mm O.D. X 2.11mm Wall tube and welded together. I would like to change the 4130 stud to 304 SS. The strength of the 304 is sufficient in this application.

Thanks

By Niekie3 (***)

Date 03-13-2002 17:17

See my reply on the shop talk board.

Thanks
Niekie

By MBSims

Date 03-14-2002 02:11

Why was 4130 the initial choice? 4130 is usually heat treated (quenched & tempered) to obtain desired mechanical properties for bolting. Welding on it will affect the properties, but it could still be acceptable depending on the application. If 304 is also acceptable, you would make fabrication much easier by using 304 for both stud and tube. Carbon steel studs may also be worth looking at if cost is the primary factor, and not strength or corrosion resistance.

Marty