Welding stainless steel several times

[Pieltro]

Dear friends,
Does anyone know what problems can I have if I weld, cut and weld several times a 304L joint with manual GTAW process? People told me that heat input is critical.

[vfq3481]

Hello Pieltro,
Normally this situation is defined by Construction Code, Standard or Spec.
I believe that after 2nd repair is better to cut off the weld ring and start all over.

[Pieltro]

Thanks for the answer vfq3481!

[vfq3481]

Found this explanation from TWI:

However, much will depend on the type of material being welded and the process in use. If the material is known to be metallurgically 'sensitive' to heat input, which could result in degradation of both the HAZ and weld deposit, it then becomes a question of complete removal of the welded joint and replacement with an inserted section.

Materials such as mild, low carbon and carbon-manganese steels, are considered to be very tolerant to heat input and may accept at least two or more re-weld operations. In the case of low alloy steels, re-welds will be governed by the heat-treated condition in which they were supplied. For the Cr-Mo steels, up to two re-welds may be carried out, but consideration needs to be given to the post-weld heat treatment operations and possible resultant degradation of the welded joint.

With the 3xx series stainless steels, two re-welds may be tolerated, but in the case of the duplex and super duplex stainless steels, only one re-weld operation is advisable, and then with extreme care and control over the heat input. Ideally, for these complex metallurgical materials, avoidance of any form of re-weld operation is favoured.

The aluminium alloys (5xxx) series can generally be regarded as a two re-weld operation but the (6xxx) series is far more sensitive to heat input and even a single re-weld operation is undesirable.

Of course when considering re-weld operations for what ever reason, consideration must be given to the following: material thickness, distortion problems, build up of residual stresses, and not forgetting the weldability rating of the material.