Either option can be chosen, but if you know how to weld and are up for learning a new skill, welding it yourself could solve your problem just as easily. There is only a small range of filler wire and electrodes that will weld cast iron properly. Cast iron has substantial carbon content making it heat more quickly. As long as you use the correct filler material and welding procedure, you can use any welding process to weld it. Decide first which welding process (TIG/MIG) you will use to weld the gray cast iron. You can weld cast iron with every welding process, provided you use the right filler material and welding procedure. "I knew it to be true with other welding, but I was encouraged by the suggestion for stitch welding to keep the heat, "Learned the need for preheat and keeping in a temperature range, also using short welds! Thanks.". Further information is available in: Welding of cast irons - a guide to best practice. This is a danger zone for cast iron, during which it is the most unstable and difficult to work with. Would normal inverter welding work alright for welding a gearbox? If in doubt, contact an experienced practitioner. A wrong move can ruin your broken part even more, or worse, make your weld look strong when it’s internally weak. Afterwards, seal off any small cracks in the joints with sealing compound to create a watertight surface. All Rights Reserved. This will usually mean heating or cooling the iron before and during the work. The reason for this is that steel is slightly harder than cast iron, and therefore combines fairly easily. Process for Welding Cast Iron. In fact I welded cast iron the other day with it. It is more ductile and weldable than white cast iron. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. WeldingChamps is a free resource, with everything from welding guides to product reviews. Instead, the slower the whole component cools, the better. Can you weld cast iron? However, there are a few things you want to remember when welding cast iron to steel. References Cast iron welding is no easy task. Welding is a very … The metal can be brazed or welded in bronze, gas, and arc. There’s a slight difference in the look of fresh cracks in the material, but unless you’re experienced in determining this, it pays to find out from the manufacturer. We hope you enjoy successfully welding some cast iron with this guide. Iron: This type costs less and produces a different-colored weld than the cast iron. The best choice in MIG wire would be specialty nickel wire, but this is the most expensive option, stainless steel MIG wire can also be used. However, it’s used to weld cast iron and produces a machinable surface. This article has been viewed 217,044 times. Cast iron can certainly be welded and brazed – with TIG brazing included. Like most welding, the cleaner the surface is, the better your welds will be. Therefore, knowing what you’re doing is more crucial than ever. Cast iron is typically higher in carbon than steel. Brazing bronze: You can oxy-acetylene braze or use the rods with a TIG welder. This makes the iron brittle, and more difficult to weld than other industrial metals. Stainless steel: Cast iron fused with austenite stainless steel doesn’t harden and change properties so much with iron consumables. But, another way to successfully weld cast iron is to keep it cool--not cold, but cool. Third, preheat the metal to allow for better penetration. One of the most crucial parts of welding cast iron is the cooling process. Engine blocks, engine parts, and even pistons are a safe bet, pieces from a quality source (you can make a good guess of the cast-iron … Cast iron is one of the more difficult metals to weld. Stick welding is a complex welding method. Image credit: CC0 Public Domain, Max Pixel. Having someone experienced assist you is another good option. I need to repair a cracked 50 mm cast iron body machine. Welding cast iron to steel is a process that really doesn't take much time to get the hang of, even if you've never welded before. With the wrong filler metal, it will most likely cause cracking, so be sure you know it’s the right choice to weld cast iron. If you’re welding up a machined surface, the best option would be to TIG weld it. First, you need to clean the area you plan to weld. Changing methods can cause stress and fractures in the cast iron. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. It is no secret that cast iron is quite problematic to weld compared to mild steel. You take it as an opportunity to learn how to weld cast iron, a new skill. It is difficult to weld cast iron with wire feed welder for its chemical shape. Preheating and slowly cooling your project is what’s most important. However, understanding the basics can help you prepare for a qualification course, or to make better decisions for welding projects run by qualified personnel under your supervision. All cast iron welding requires care. Black-iron fittings are difficult to weld without causing damage to the fitting. You can weld cast iron cold (with the blow torch pre-heat to about 60 degrees C). You can weld cast iron with every welding process, provided you use the right filler material and welding procedure. If the cast iron has been exposed to oil (like mine) it's best to heat the edge to a dull red colour, allow it to cool, and then wire brush the carbon from the surface. Every now and then you have a good day and you are lulled into thinking it's not so bad. To do it: Preheat is required for avoiding damage; For heating use torch; Before welding decrease the temperature; Weld the cast iron slowly. Experienced cast iron welders who work on repairing or manufacturing cast iron products regularly always and only preheat. I have welded cast but it has been close to 40 years and two brain stem strokes, so I do not remember. Below, both methods will be described. Cameron grew up in Allentown, Pennsylvania, a once-proud steel town on the Lehigh River, where he got a taste of TIG welding in his high school shop class. Last Updated: December 5, 2020 Keep the cast iron out of the range of 150 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit (65 to 260 Celsius). It’s a good option to minimize the extreme heating and cooling of the electric welding processes, and it’s easier to maintain the temperatures of the components with it. e-mail: sales@woodhead-publishing.com ISBN 0 85300 176 6. During the welding process, this carbon migrates into the weld metal and/or the heat affected zone adjacent to the weld metal, causing elevated hardness/brittleness. Then, fix any cracks or rips in the surface by using a small piece of iron as a repair patch.
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