SS filler on Chro-Moly (4130)

[GT Steve]

Does anyone have any experience using ER308L filler for GTAW welding thin-walled (0.065") 4130? Someone asked a question about it on another forum and I hadn't ever heard of that combination, so I thought i'd bring it to the experts. The person who did it has destructivly tested the joints and they failed outside of the weld and HAZ, which makes me think strength wise it is OK, but i'm not sure about other properties. Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks!

[Tim]

You'd sure want to know the entire procedure they used, if its advisable. And what advantage it affords, if any.

[papabear]

All I use ER308L for is 300 series SS (except for 316). For Chro-Molly I use ER70S2. The only advantage I can think of for using ER308L would be for the Co. selling the filler.

[makoman1860]

:rolleyes: Oh Brother! This again.

[hotrodder]

:rolleyes: Oh Brother! This again.

This has to be done at least once a month, it's like internet welding law or something. Didn't you know? :laugh:

308 is one of the worst choices there is... http://www.netwelding.com/Welding%204130.htm (http://www.netwelding.com/Welding%204130.htm)

[GT Steve]

Thanks for the replys so far, you pretty much summed up what I had already figured, which is basically 4130 + 308 = can be BAD. This was not my project, but someone else on another forum discussing welding and destructive testing of tubular steel race car chassis. I agree that using stainless makes little to no sense, not to mention being expensive, and could lead to stress cracks and failure.

I am very familiar with the correct way to weld 4130, I only asked to get some other opinions of this seemingly (by my research) very poor choice of methods.

thanks again,
Steve

[makoman1860]

I guess im just supprized this keeps coming up. Of course Ive noticed that the same stupid ideas just never die.

1-Weld your 4130 with stainless filler
2-Big hammer tests actually mean anything
3-It welded up good so it must be good
4-Paint your engine black so it runs cooler
5-Anything done with a torch is brazing
6-You need an arc to weld
7-Lincoln invented welding
8-4130 was always welded with Tig and is the only way

The list goes on and on. Im involved with historic firearms restoration and showing as a hobby. I actually had a fellow tell me that the Maynard ( civil war era ) carbine I had must be from the 1900's as there is no way that they had the technology to make something like that 160 years ago. If ignorance is bliss, why do we sell so many "happy drugs" in this country?

[BuiltByBrooks]

309 is what you want to use..I weld chromoly all day and built plenty of chassis using it, never had one break yet... The only reason i did it is because the customers liked the different colors stainless steel has..

[BuiltByBrooks]

The chassis was .035, .049, .065 4130 chromoly OD was 1.00, .750, .625

[makoman1860]

The only reason i did it is because the customers liked the different colors stainless steel has..


Well Im glad to hear that people have their priorities. Yeesh. I really dont know why people buck the normal traditional steel fillers, maybe its just not "cool" enough for them. So if doing the "norm" is not "cool" , and Tig is now considered the "norm" by "experts", then the people that torch weld should be super" cool" with their exotic methods and exotic fillers right? Or is there some logic im missing here?:D

[Passenger]

309 is what you want to use..I weld chromoly all day and built plenty of chassis using it, never had one break yet... The only reason i did it is because the customers liked the different colors stainless steel has..

Lol, yeah color takes priority...