Welding High-Nickel Alloys: Different but Not Difficult

Although most fabricators are familiar with welding techniques necessary for successful joining of mild steel, many have limited experience in welding high-nickel alloys. This presentation will use mild-steel welding as a reference point and discuss three basic differences in welding technique necessary to produce high-quality welds in the nickel alloys. The welder must 1) keep the weld zone clean, 2) mainpulate the sluggish weld metal with a weave technique, and 3) accept the inherently lower weld penetration. If those factors are recognized, the welder will conclude that welding of nickel alloys is different, but it is not difficult.