Welding rods with nickel and nickel alloy are used to join and weld iron, steel and other ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Different types of steel and alloys require different welding rods. Nickel and nickel alloy welding rods are suitable for welding and joining a wide range of metals, including stainless steel, heat-resisting stainless steel, Inconel, Incoloy, Monel and other nickel-based alloys.
Nickel-alloy welding rods provide good corrosion resistance, excellent weldability and good strength. Welds made with nickel or nickel alloy welding rods are corrosion resistant, ductile and can be exposed to high temperatures without losing strength. As nickel and nickel alloy welding rods are relatively expensive, they should be used only when necessary.
Common types of Nickel and Nickel alloy welding rods includes:
Nickel-Copper Alloy (Nickel-Copper, Monel): Monel electrodes are commonly used for welding Ni-Cu alloys (such as Monel and Inconel) to each other, for welding Ni-Cu alloys to carbon steel and for joining Ni-Cu alloys to stainless steel. The weld metal has excellent mechanical properties at elevated temperatures and good corrosion resistance. The electrodes produce welders with smooth runs and easy slag removal.
Nickel-Chromium Alloy (Inconel): Inconel electrodes are suitable for welding Inconel alloys and materials of similar composition such as Hastelloy and heat-resisting stainless steels. The welds are highly corrosion resistant, ductile and strong at elevated temperatures. Inconel electrodes are particularly recommended for welding thin sections.
Nickel-Chromium-Molybdenum Alloy (Incoloy): Incoloy electrodes are typically used for welding Inconel and Incoloy alloys and similar materials Such as Hastelloy and heat-resisting stainless steel. The welds good corrosion and oxidation resistance, strength and ductility at high temperatures.
Nickel-Chromium-Iron Alloy (Nickel-Chrome): Nickel-chrome electrodes are suitable for welding heat-resisting stainless steels, as well as for welding certain nickel alloys to carbon steel and stainless steel. The welds have good mechanical properties at elevated temperatures and are corrosion resistant.
Nickel-Manganese Alloy (Nickel-Manganese): Nickel-manganese electrodes are used for joining and welding manganese alloys such as Hadfield steel and autocatalytic nickel alloys. The welds have good mechanical properties and good wear resistance.
The welding rod identification number for nickel and nickel alloy welding rods should include a four digit number to indicate the composition of the base metal, a one or two digit number to indicate the type of rod, followed by a two or three digit number indicating the size of the rod. For example, an identification number of 5356-7-1 indicates a 5% magnesium and 2% zinc rod, type 7 and size 1.
