MIG Welding Stainless Steel

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It's recommended when short circuit MIG welding stainless steel you should use a helium+argon+CO2 shielding gas mix, and when using spray transfer stainless you should use a 98%Argon / 2%O2 gas mix. But when I spray transfer with solid wire on mild steel I use a C25 mix (argon/CO2) but its recomended using a 98%Argon / 2%O2 mix but C25 works perfectly.My real question is could I just use a C25 to short circuit & spray transfer Stainless Steel?
Reply:It will work, but not look pretty.  And the welds will appear cold.MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:Stainless steel wire + c25 gas = tall and ugly welds. Plus the welds won't be stainless and they will rust. There is a reason you need helium or less than 5% co2. Maybe try some 308L Flux wirehttp://www.ebay.com/itm/035-308L-FCO...item2eb897979cTorchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:When I spray transfer using 98%argon/2%O2 which is recommended and I spray transfer using 75%argon/25%CO2 (C25) on mild steel the welds look exactly the same (no telling the difference). So In theory short circuit welding with C25 on stainless where as Helium+Argon+CO2 is recommended should look exactly the same (no telling the difference)I will give it a try.
Reply:[QUOTE=Gamble;2802441  There is a reason you need helium or less than 5% co2. Do you know the exact gas mix (percentages) for Helium+Argon+CO2 gas mix for solid stainless short circuit?
Reply:Originally Posted by TorontoWelderDo you know the exact gas mix (percentages) for Helium+Argon+CO2 gas mix for solid stainless short circuit?
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleSorry I do not. Never gotten a bottle of it, nobody I can find will fill it unless I have a 300cf tank and that's a bit on the large side just to play with. I am going to try some stainless flux cored wire in the next month or two. I'm very curious to see how well it works.
Reply:Originally Posted by TorontoWelderYeah I'm going to buy some solid 308 stainless wire tomorrow and give it a try with my C25, and also ask a couple of buddies and the guys at the local supply store what's there opinion. I'll take some pics of the welds with the C25.
Reply:No pro here, but you're not supposed to be able to transition into true spray transfer with C25.  I believe C15 is the highest CO2 ppm percentage you can go with.  Otherwise it's SC or globular transfer.There's a reason people pay more for other gases to do certain processes.  It's because they are known to work well and have been tried over the years and produced dependable results.  So if you're looking to take a short cut, it's likely been tried before and failed.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Originally Posted by Drf255No pro here, but you're not supposed to be able to transition into true spray transfer with C25.  I believe C15 is the highest CO2 ppm percentage you can go with.  Otherwise it's SC or globular transfer.There's a reason people pay more for other gases to do certain processes.  It's because they are known to work well and have been tried over the years and produced dependable results.  So if you're looking to take a short cut, it's likely been tried before and failed.
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleCorrect me if I am I am wrong, but can't you spray arc with c25 if you have enough voltage?
Reply:deletedLast edited by MinnesotaDave; 06-26-2013 at 08:41 AM.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Originally Posted by TorontoWelderDo you know the exact gas mix (percentages) for Helium+Argon+CO2 gas mix for solid stainless short circuit?
Reply:Originally Posted by Drf255What I've read has stated that true spray transfer MIG cannot occur with C25 gas.
Reply:C25 can go spray transfer, its very unstable and will bounce back and forth between globular and spray. Spray is very quiet with a jet engine sound and little splatter, globular is definitely louder and will spatter and spit all over the place.
Reply:Originally Posted by TorontoWelderWhen I spray transfer using 98%argon/2%O2 which is recommended and I spray transfer using 75%argon/25%CO2 (C25) on mild steel the welds look exactly the same (no telling the difference). So In theory short circuit welding with C25 on stainless where as Helium+Argon+CO2 is recommended should look exactly the same (no telling the difference)