17.7 stainless steel welding?

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Has anyone every welded on some 17.7. I just completed my first week at a new job as a aerospace welding apprentice. Soon after a bunch of practice I am going to be taking a test on 17.7 butt and t-plate weld. Yearly the company makes the welders take a test on aluminum, stainless, and 17.7 stainless to be sent out for x-ray. All the guys in the shop say the 17.7 is a pain in the a**. I was wondering what makes it hard and maybe some pointers or tricks to make it easier when the time comes around for me to start practicing on the 17.7. Thank you in advance.
Reply:I've never welded it, but after taking a look it has 1.25% aluminum with plenty of iron in the mix along with the Chrome and Nickel???Maybe if you lose sheilding there is a chance of the aluminum going reactive with free iron and making a mess of things?Appears to be a fair bit stronger than 17-4 after solution heat treat! The stuff has an attitude!Matt
Reply:I've welded it, but not for a certification. I'd need to look up the technique sheet in the corporate welding manual to get the right procedure, since it's been a while...