Can I TIG Weld Mild Steel Using 308 Rod?
You might be wondering whether or not you can TIG weld mild steel using a 308 rod.
Yes, you can TIG weld mild steel using 308 rods. However, it is recommended to use 316L or 309L rods for better results and reduced risk of cracking.
Mild steel has a lower carbon content than stainless steel, which means that it is less likely to rust and has a higher melting point. This makes it perfect for welding and making parts without warping or collapsing under the weight of the heat.
TIG welding is a type of gas metal arc welding where a filler material is not needed. To successfully weld mild steel with 308 rods, it is necessary to have the right equipment and techniques.
What Is 308 TIG Rod Used For?
TIG rod is a type of welding rod that is used in TIG welding. It is made from various materials, including steel, aluminum, and copper. TIG rod is available in different sizes and lengths and can use for various applications.
TIG welding is a type of arc welding that uses a tungsten electrode to produce an electric arc. However, the arc heats the metal, melts the filler material, and joins the two pieces together. TIG welding can weld types 201, 302, 304, and 308 stainless steel. It can also use for joining some dissimilar 300-series steels.
Besides, TIG welding is a versatile welding process that can use for various applications. TIG rod is an essential part of the TIG welding process and is available in various sizes and materials to suit your specific needs.
What Rod Do You Use For TIG Welding Mild Steel?
The E70s2 mild steel tig welding rod is perfect for welding 4130 Chromoly tubing, all mild steel, and even cast steel. This rod provides excellent arc stability and low spatter levels, making it ideal for various applications.
Besides, the E70s2 mild steel tig welding rod provides superior weld quality and is easy to use, making it an excellent choice for both novice and experienced welders.
When Would You Use A 308 Welding Rod?
L (including ER308LSi) is predominantly used on austenitic stainless steel types, such as 301, 302, 304, and 305, and cast alloys CF-8 and CF-3. It is necessary to use a low-carbon electrode for high-temperature applications such as in the electric furnace.
The “L” in the designation means that the carbon content of the welding wire or electrode is low. The “Si” in the designation means that silicon has been added to improve the weld metal’s arc stability and wetting action.
What’s The Difference Between 308 And 309 Welding Rod?
e is a chart outlining the major differences between 308 and 309 welding rods:
| 308 Welding Rod | 309 Welding Rod | |
|---|---|---|
| Alloy | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Composition | Contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel | Contains 24% chromium and 13% nickel |
| Application | Suitable for welding austenitic stainless steels such as 304 and 304L | Suitable for welding dissimilar metals, including stainless steel to carbon steel |
| Welding Position | Can be used in all welding positions | Can be used in all welding positions |
| Strength | Offers good strength and corrosion resistance | Offers higher strength and better resistance to high-temperature environments |
| Crack Resistance | Provides good crack resistance | Provides improved crack resistance, particularly in high-stress and high-temperature applications |
| Typical Uses | Commonly used in food processing, chemical, and dairy equipment | Used for applications such as furnace parts, high-temperature boilers, and exhaust systems |
The 309 welding rod is made of a steel alloy that contains 22.0-25.0% chromium and 12.0-14.0% nickel. This composition makes the 309 welding rod more resistant to corrosion than the 308 welding rod, which contains 18.0-21.0% chromium and 10.0-12.0% nickel.
When joining stainless steel to another steel, using a 309 welding rod will result in a stronger, more durable joint thanks to the higher levels of chromium and nickel in the alloy.
Why Use 308 and 309 Rod?
The 309 rod has a higher chemistry content of Cr=22.0-25.0 and Ni=12.0-14.0 than the 308 rod, which has a lower content of Cr=18.0-21.0 and Ni=10.0-12.0. Despite this, it makes the 309 rods more resistant to corrosion and better suited for joining dissimilar metals.
In addition, the 309 rod is also less likely to cause weld contamination due to its higher melting point (2500°F / 1371°C) as opposed to the 308 rod, which has a lower melting point (2300°F / 1260°C).
This means that the 309 rod is less likely to cause problems such as porosity or inclusions in the weld bead, making it ideal for use in critical applications where a high-quality weld is required.
What Is The Difference Between 308 And 308L Welding Rod?
ER308/308L is used for welding types 304, 304L, 308, and 308L stainless steel. It is very similar to type 308 but has a carbon content held to a max of—03% to avoid carbide precipitation.
This alloy is appropriate for all position welding and can be used with either 100% CO2 or 75% Ar/25% CO2 shielding gas. As with most austenitic stainless steels, interpass temperatures should be kept low during welding to minimize the risk of hot cracking. ER308/308L can join dissimilar metals such as stainless steel to mild or low alloy steel.
What is the Difference Between 308 and 316 Welding Rod?
Stainless steel contains molybdenum, which is an element that increases the steel’s resistance to corrosion. The most commonly used type of stainless steel is 304, but 308 stainless steel is also widely used. However, the main difference between these two types of stainless steel is that 304 is typically used to weld on other types of stainless steel, while 308 is often used on carbon steel.
| Specification | 308 Welding Rod | 316 Welding Rod |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Composition | Contains 20-25% chromium and 10-14% nickel; may contain small amounts of molybdenum | Contains 16-18% chromium, 10-14% nickel, and 2-3% molybdenum |
| Corrosion Resistance | Offers good resistance to corrosion in most environments, except in those with high chloride concentrations | Offers excellent resistance to corrosion, particularly in high chloride environments |
| Welding Applications | Ideal for welding types 301, 302, 304, and 308 stainless steels; suitable for a wide range of applications, including food processing equipment, dairy equipment, and architectural trim | Ideal for welding types 316, 316L, and 317L stainless steels; suitable for applications in the chemical processing, pharmaceutical, and marine industries |
| Welding Properties | Provides a stable arc and good bead appearance; produces a strong and ductile weld | Produces a stable arc and clean weld appearance; provides high strength and excellent ductility |
| Price | Generally less expensive than 316 welding rod | Generally more expensive than 308 welding rod |
Can You Weld 316 With 309?
Weldability is an important consideration when choosing stainless steel for your project. 309 and 309L were designed to weld dissimilar metals to austenitic stainless steel. As such, they readily weld to 316/316L, and I would expect them to weld well to other austenitic stainless steels.
Conclusion
Yes, you can TIG weld mild steel using a 308 rod. The main difference between the two materials is that mild steel has a lower carbon content than stainless steel. This means that it is less likely to rust and corrode over time.
However, it is important to note that mild steel is more susceptible to warping and distortion when welding use the proper techniques and take care when welding with this material.
