Would I be alright if I was to use 316l filler on some 304 tubing and piping? How would it look compared to using 308l? I know I should be fine but will the weld be as strong or stonger than a weld using 308l?

The reason I asked is because my local suppliers only have .035" in 316l.. Just wanted to check with ht b4 I went and bought some.

Also, what size filled are most of you using for stainless 16ga tubing? I tried 1/16" but I seem to be adding too much and cooling the puddle too much. Let me know guys..

 

.035" 316l filler for 304 .065" wall stainless is gravy.

 

just use 309

 

Would there be any drawbacks? Any different coloration? Could I use 309 instead of 308 on all my 304 welds?

1/16" filler is too much for .065" wall stainless right? What is a good general purpose 300 series filler? I used 308l up untill now but if offers some benefit over the other then I'm all for it.

 

I find 316l has better wetting than 308l and flows better, we pretty much only have 312 and 316 filler in the shop, 312 for mixed materials and 316l for 304 and 316. And yes 1/16" filler is too big for .065" wall stainless. .035 is good.

 

Thanks a lot... So I guess I'll be trying it out.. I guess 1/16" 4043 is too big for aluminum tubing too huh? Guess I gotta stock up on some .035"

 

Actually Al seams to like a little bit bigger filler I find, for .065" wall Al tube I use 1/16" or .045" 5356 filler.

 

I actually use 1/16" filler on all my .065" tubing. Same for AL ... I also prefer 316 to 308, though the difference is subtle.

 

markk, idk how u do it... with 1/16" i just dab it slightly and the backside gets a huge contaminated spikey gray bead on the back.. i know its going to look like that regardless if its not backpurged, but damn just one dab of filler leaves a bunch of slag on the inside and it looks horrible.

if i pull out a little on the heat and make the puddle a little smaller, then it doesnt slag too much on the backside but on the surface its an ugly prune color weld almost like its too hot but also cold and it looks too convex..? idk. i'll get pics.

 

309 is a "universal" type of filler for ss

 

316 isnt? what about stainless to mild?

 

use 309 for ms to ss

 

I always thought you were just supposed to upgrade never downgrade stainless filler.

309 or 312 for ss to steel

 

I've used 309 on some higher nickel stainless alloys before and had problems with cracking. So i wouldn't exactly call it "universal" for all stainless..

I think there's around 60 different types of stainless. 309 won't work for all of them

 

so would 316 be good for all around? im using 308l and i really dont like it, but i have not tried anything else...

 

what dont you like about 308? its easier to work with than ER70 IMO, and is relatively easy to get a nice looking bead.

 

That's what I wanna know....is 316 good for dissimilar metals like mild to stainless?

 

i have 3/32 er70 and hate it! i need 1/16th

 

For our applications 316 to join 304 is fine.

Use 309 will join 316 to mild steel because of 316's propencity to corrode quickly when welded to ferrite grain structures and low chorome/moly ratios. do not use 316 or 308.

 

hell, Ill take your 3/32 off your hands, I need to buy some for 1/8" metal.

 

Any filler will "work", but to keep it simple, use 309L to join stainless to mild, and use 316 filler for 304 and 316 SS ...

 

Interesting on the cracking with 309L, what sort of higher nickel stainless was it? You mean 316?

I use 309L almost exclusively on 304 with the idea that the extra "overmatch" of chromium (and to a lesser degree, nickel) is a good thing. I haven't had any manifolds crack on me- ever, but they are all just 304.

I wouldn't use it for 316- I'd likely use 316L. Has about the same amount of nickel in it though...

 

using 309 VS 308 in a 304 manifold application is nice because it's that much more corrosion resistance the weld will have. eliminates buying an entire type of filler.
316h to 316h is a really very good cost effective material for hot race manifs.

good small shop economics from bondo.


welding what kind of high nickle stainless would be the question posed to him.
312 is a beast. 312 has extra nickel in it. good at dissimilar metals. resistant to fissures & cracking.
308's are good for welding 201, 202, 301, 302, 304, 304L, 305, 308, 321 and 247. 18-8, 19-9, 20-10's. DEPENDING on what exact type of 308 filler it is. 316 does not fall in that group
310's welds 302 310 & 314 to MS well

 

Bondo what about using 316l on 304 manifold apps and .065" tubing? 309 is my best bet when joining mild flanges to stainless pipe/tubing?

 

Lots of guys use 316 on 304 with good success. I beleive 316 has a lower tensile strength, but I imagine it's not enough to matter as many people use it.