When you're new to stick welding as a metal fabrication method, you might not know the differences between all the types of stainless steel. If you are interested in working with type 321 stainless steel in the future, here are a few things you should know about it.

Why Choose Type 321 Steel

Type 321 steel is a popular welding steel for a variety of reasons. It contains a high amount of titanium when compared to other steels of its grade, which helps avoid chromium carbide precipitation. This problem causes cracks in steel that makes your welds less effective.

Other benefits of type 321 steel include its high levels of nickel (9-12%) and chromium (17-19%). This makes it suitable for very high-temperature welds and for use in difficult environments, such as underwater welding.

Choosing The Best Rods

Welding rods are not made equally, and when you are welding type 321 stainless steel, you need to pick the best possible rod. Typically, you need to pick a rod of about 0.030 inches in diameter when working with type 321 stainless steel. The type of steel used in the rod also varies, depending on the type of weld you are marking.

For example, a 308 rod goes well when you are welding 321 to 304 steel. However, 347 rods tend to go well with just about any 300 series weld. The differences are too complex to describe in detail here, but it has to do with the sulfur and carbon content in each rod and stainless steel type.

Combinations Of 321 Stainless Steel Welds

When you are stick welding with 321 steel, you can weld it to steel of the same type or other steels. However, you need a filler metal in between the two to ensure that the weld sticks. If you plan on welding with 321 steel in the future, here is a list of metals it can be used with and the filler metals necessary:

• 304L - Filler 308L
• 316L - Filler 316L
• 310 - Filler 310
• 347 - Filler 347
• 321 - Filler 318
• 410 - Filler 309L
• 430 - Filler 309L
• Mild Steel - Filler 309L

Filler metal is important because the different steels combine in unique ways when stick welded. The reasons for this are, again, too complicated to discuss in-depth here but have a lot to do with the unique chemical makeup of each.

With this information, you can start welding type 321 steel without running into any major problems. If you need any more help regarding this process, a fabrication company in your area can give you the advice you need to weld more effectively. Contact a company like Suburban Welding & Steel LLC for more info.