Selection of Cast Stainless Steels

This article discusses two categories of stainless steel casting alloys and their nomenclature. It provides information on two situations in which welding of stainless steel castings is required. These situations are based on casting defects and selection of welding processes. The article presents compositions and typical microstructures of corrosion-resistant stainless steel casting alloys in tabular form. It presents special considerations for the welding of martensitic stainless steel castings. The article reviews the two most serious problems encountered in the welding of stainless steel castings, namely, solidification hot cracking and heat-affected zone hot cracking. It concludes with a discussion on the some useful considerations for welding corrosion-resistant alloys to avoid defects.