Tig welding stainless What Filler?

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What filler should i use for tigging 316 to 304. All i have is 308 and 316. What to you guys recomend. 308?ThanksShaneYa gotta spend money to make money!
Reply:Hello Shane, the quick answer would be to use the 316 as this is generally considered the higher grade of your two options and is the better match for the grades that you are joining. In many other instances you might possibly use other alloys due to application, ie. temperature, chemical exposure, or a few other possibilities. ESAB has a very good reference for filler metal applications, you can probably google this application and find further information to base your choice on. A bit for your consideration. Best regards, Allanaevald
Reply:316 filler is the better choice for this joint in my opinion.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:If you want higher tensile strength use 308. Using the 316 would make the weld slightly more resistance to pitting corrosion or to a marine enviroment, but then why would you be using the 304?
Reply:In general 308L is the correct filler between 90% of austenitic stainless steels (300 series) including 304 and 316.  309L is the correct filler between austenitic SS and carbon steels. Having only access to 316 and 308, either will work readily and wont have much issue.316L is the correct filler for... 316 to 316 or when you are trying to over alloy the filler to prevent corrosion in the weld bead. Since your joining the 316 to 304 increased corrosion resistance won't do anything for you, 308 will give you a better ferrite number than 316 filler will, and is cheaper.308L is what is called out in the stainless welding code fro 304-316 and for 304-304 it can be used for 316-316 but it will lower corrosion resistance.Last edited by Metarinka; 03-01-2010 at 11:39 AM.
Reply:I disagree, there is no advantage using a L grade filler on straight grade stainless. granted most 308,309 and 316 series stailess fillers are dual certified. If the filler is not dual certified the L grade filler will be lower tensile then the straight grade. I do not know what stainless code Metrinka is citing but D1.6/D1.6M:2007 does not supports his statements.
Reply:if you are mixing Grades.... i would choose the higher Grade wire
Reply:309L covers most mixed grade stainless welds.
Reply:lol.. if you're using 304, it's probably a water treatment line.. hell.. you can use any stainless rod for that.. i agree that 308 is probably the most cost efficient and stable filler wire.. although 316 is what i use for everything just because it flows better.. only when you're dealing with high pressure, chemicals, stress, etc., would you actually worry about correct filler wire.. hell for water, use anything you got.. oh.. and if it's pipe, use solar flux instead of purging.. again, more cost efficient..if you're not livin on the edge, you're takin up too much room..
Reply:Originally Posted by weldingliferI disagree, there is no advantage using a L grade filler on straight grade stainless. granted most 308,309 and 316 series stailess fillers are dual certified. If the filler is not dual certified the L grade filler will be lower tensile then the straight grade. I do not know what stainless code Metrinka is citing but D1.6/D1.6M:2007 does not supports his statements.