Tig welding cast to steel

Date 10-17-2008 21:06

I've got a couple things that need to be welded. I'm unsure if the material is cast steel or cast iron but I need to weld a piece of steel to it. I went to the welding supply store and told them I planned on TIG welding it and they gave me some Nickel Silver 170 rod. I looked it up and it appears that this rod is used for brazing, not welding. Anyone shed some light on this or what rod I should be using if this is not the correct rod? Also, how would I be able to tell if it is cast steel VS. cast iron?

Thanks in advance.

By bozaktwo1 (***)

Date 10-17-2008 22:32

http://www.aws.org/cgi-bin/mwf/topic_show.pl?pid=37335;hl=cast%20steel%2c%20cast%20iron%2c%20weld

That should give you some clues to start with.

By DaveBoyer (*****)

Date 10-18-2008 03:20

I prefer to spark test. If You arn't familiar with what cast iron sparks like grind several scraps of it and see.

The brazing rod they sold You is a good choice for steel to cast iron joints, it is probably stronger than either base metal.

If the cast part is cast steel You should be able to weld it with steel filler rod. If it sparks like it has much carbon in it pre & post heat accordingly.