Inconel Inlay

[Gold Wing]

I have a Lincoln NA-3N sub arc welder with a DC 1000 power supply. I normally use it to do carbon steel build up work on Well Head ID's or to repair ring grooves. 4130 or 4140 base material. I also run some 316 stainless.
My question is. I would like to get into doing some Inconel 625 inlay work ( to 4130 / 4140 base ) and was wondering if this equipment is right for the job.
Any Inconel welders out there??????
Wing Man

[Carolina Welder]

Gold Wing,

Inconel is difficult to weld and is typically done using pulse mig with an Argon/Helium shielding gas. This is mainly because it doesn't melt easily and helium helps that. Depending on the diameter it can be dificult to feed so you need to make sure you have the correct liner and drive rolls. I've only used Inconel to overlay boiler tubes used in the superheater section of gas fired boilers. 1000 amps should be plenty of power but the inability to use a shielding gas will make this more difficult. I'm sure there is a flux out there that can be used for sub arc welding Inconel though. Hope this helps and good luck.

[Gold Wing]

Thanks for the tip!. I kinda thought I would have to add some equipment to do the job correctly. More research on my part is required. They do have a flux for SAW. Inco-flux or something like that. Im just not sure that another source of shielding wouldn't be needed as well.
Thanks again
Wing Man

[Shane G.]

We have done alot of stainless SAW at work single wire feed on 304 and 316 not sure how Inconel would weld but I would imagine it could be done.

[Gold Wing]

Thanks Shane,
I've done some 316 with it and am real happy with the results.
I'm just not sure about running inconel with my sub arc. I can't see any reason why it wouldn't work as long as its shielded properly.
More research required..

[chrispc66]

Nickel alloys are all suted to the SAW process for cladding operations. You can purchase strip for larger cladding projects as well as wire, the head to feed strip is not expensive when you consider overall welding cost savings in comparison to wire.

Manufacturers of inconel SAW products can provide welding guidelines that will get you going with a view to procedure qualification.

Cheers

[Gold Wing]

Thanks Chris.
I'm looking into that now.