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Up Topic Welding Industry / General Welding Discussion / Welding of 316 SS
- - By F Salem Date 10-23-2018 10:37
I would like to ask about the best welding process to weld stainless steel 316?
Is the SMAW good for 316 or TIG is  better?
Parent - By Tyrone (***) Date 10-23-2018 11:27
Hi F Salem,
Welcome to the Original AWS Welding Forum.

Better process?  It all depends on what you are trying to weld and what you are trying to accomplish. Each process is better that another for a specific reason.  All put down the same strength weld.

Are your parts thin?
Are you trying to get the weld done as fast as possible?
Are you concerned about final appearance?

Tyrone
Parent - - By TerryTerzian (*) Date 10-23-2018 18:07
I am going to say GTAW is better. And because I dislike SMAW.
Parent - - By gmatsko Date 01-28-2019 23:28
SMAW, or more commonly called 'stick' welding of stainless steel is dangerous due to the 'HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM' in the fumes.
GTAW is a better choice. Check on-line about the dangers of 'HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM'.
Parent - - By Tyrone (***) Date 01-29-2019 12:36
I agree Eugene.  Nasty stuff to weld with.
Tyrone
Parent - - By LToca85 (**) Date 01-29-2019 12:44
Is this stuff dangerous even in the  open outdoors?
Parent - - By jwright650 (*****) Date 01-29-2019 15:14
Stay out of the plume and the ppm will be diluted outdoors enough to not hurt you...provided you aren't head down in the smoke all day, everyday.

The air quality testing we did showed that in the shop with fans moving some air nearby, the dilution was enough to be under the safe permissible limits set up by OSHA. I haven't checked the OSHA limits in several years now, so that may have changed (gotten tighter) since we were doing our testing. The only way to really KNOW is to test. Wear the collectors up near your shield to capture what you are actually breathing. If in doubt...Find an industrial hygienist  who can perform the testing, analyze the data and report it the way OSHA wants it done.
Parent - - By LToca85 (**) Date 01-29-2019 15:21
Thank you John your insight is appreciated
Parent - - By Tyrone (***) Date 01-30-2019 12:49 Edited 01-30-2019 12:51
Aside from meeting government regulations regarding exposure to the employees, there's also environmental restrictions.  We had to apply for a permit to spew a maximum amount of the hazardous chemicals (it gets monitored).

Tyrone

PS - John, the regulations in Canada and the US is going from extremely tight to holy ba-jesus tight.  Not sure how we are going to comply in the coming year.
Parent - By jwright650 (*****) Date 01-30-2019 12:54
Yikes! :eek:
Parent - By jwright650 (*****) Date 01-30-2019 00:31
I agree, the smoke is where the nasty heavy metals are.
Up Topic Welding Industry / General Welding Discussion / Welding of 316 SS

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