[TheForge] Welding SS

Thu Sep 11 16:58:01 2003

In a message dated 9/11/2003 2:15:20 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
[email protected] writes:
I tried forge welding some SS and mild steel for a damascus
Frostman,
The problem with 300 series stainless is that the chrome-oxide film that 
protects it from corrosion also keeps it from wetting to the mild steel.  When you 
belt grind the surface,  it is no longer "stainless" for a short period of 
time, i.e., if exposed to a corrodent at that moment, it would corrode.  After 
exposure to air, the passive film forms on the surface and once again it is 
stainless.  To keep the film from forming, flux it as soon as you can following 
grinding off the surface.  Your idea of using a liquid plumbing flux is a good 
one, and I would apply it immediately after grinding the stainless.  Flux the 
mild steel also prior to tacking the corners, but again, prior to it seeing 
any heat.  Another thought, the stainless that you are using has been "cold 
worked" to a fairly high tensile in manufacture.  You might heat the stainless to 
1800-1900F and quench in water to anneal it before you grind the surface off.  
Just for your information, stainless is routinely "bonded" cold to other 
metals under high rolling pressures without any flux, but it has an active 
surface, not passive when rolled.  The US Navy has a specification for "painting 
stainless", which describes the process of removing the passive surface and 
preparing it for painting, which is exactly what you want to do.  Regret I dont have 
a copy of the spec.  
Good luck
Mike Schermerhorn

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