Cast Iron question

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Is it possible to weld grey cast iron with 7018 with some sucsess if i follow the correct procedure? or would a better option be to pick up some bronze nickel tig wire i need to weld a pot belly leg back onLast edited by Bozzza; 06-03-2010 at 01:43 AM.Cigweld Transmig 265seBoc 140amp StickBoss 200amp AC/DC TIGLincoln Electric Invertec V260-S
Reply:Hey Bozzza,I would not use 7018 for that repair. Cast iron needs to be welded with a rod/wire that is negligible in carbon content. I use the "Cold Welding Cast Iron With MIG" process with complete success the last 2 yrs after extensive research & trial/error.I wire wheel the cracked area very clean, bevel each side of the crack past the crack end, & use .030, 309L SS wire(.01Carbon content) with 98/2(AR/CO2) gas(18-22cfh) at 80-100A depending on thickness. I tack small beads on opposite sides of the repair to start. This will only get the casting warm to the touch. Then after 15min or so, I run a short 1/4-1/2" bead(pull not push) & stop to allow to cool to room temp. again. I repeat this procedure until the crack is filled. Each weld will not get the cast hot at all & will eliminate the dreaded "tinkle". I do not do any pre-heat as that is the main culprit for the expansion/contraction "tinkle" most experience. Most of we weldors who do repairs on cast do not have the elaborate & expensive computer-controlled ovens necessary to control the heat & cool process.I recently just acquired some Techalloy 413(ERCuNi) .035 wire(Monel) that I am going to experiment with as I read some interesting results with it. This wire has to be used with 100% AR or no more than 1% CO2.Here are some pics of another Rolls Royce manifold I did that was also warped badly that needed to be surface ground for flatness again. I had my brothers' friend at his auto machine shop do the re-grind. Came out quite nicely.Hope this gives you some "food-for-thought" to contemplate. Give me a couple xtra minutes to get the (9) pics on as I need (2) posts. Thanks....Denny Attached ImagesComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:Here's the 2nd group.... Attached ImagesComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:ive used a nickle rod before i came to learn that if you wrap it with a fiberglass welding blanket or some house insulation to allow it to cool very slow it works great. and will not crack remember to drill the ends of the crack so it stops the travel. when welding i recommend to build it a little high and go back and grind.
Reply:Thanks alot Denny and assassin, Denny you definitely gave me some food for thought and opened up a whole new door i never even thought about ss. Also i spose you are a prime example of thinking out of the box not going with the norm in a good way, the first thing i was taught with cast was pre heat post heat but you bring up a awsome point..Anyway i think i am going to give the ss a shot and possible try tigging it ill post up some picsAnd great looking repairCheers SteveLast edited by Bozzza; 06-03-2010 at 07:10 PM.Cigweld Transmig 265seBoc 140amp StickBoss 200amp AC/DC TIGLincoln Electric Invertec V260-S
Reply:ive welded grey cast w fc wire[.035],buried in sand between passes and it never cracked.heat control 75% of the issue w that stuff.ive been experimenting w cast irons in the back yard w decent results.i made a brace for the leg of a 100yr old leg vice to secure it to a table.used5/32 7018,then peened the welds.it is used like it was intended to be and it hasnt broke yet.lincoln weld pak 100 hdlincoln ranger 225gxt ac/dcoxy/acetylenepuroxcw202 victor fc100harris model 85harrismodel 16oxweld w24roxweld w17