--- title: "Stainless Steel Welding: Choosing the Best Types of Steel" description: Learn why material choice matters when welding stainless steel. Make sure you consider these things when planning for stainless steel welding. image: https://www.mchoneind.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Stainless_Steel_Seamless_Pipe_and_Tube.jpg --- [![mchone industries](https://www.mchoneind.com/hs-fs/hubfs/mchonecolors.png?width=300&name=mchonecolors.png "mchone industries")](https://www.mchoneind.com/) - [Blog](https://www.mchoneind.com/blog/) - [Downloadable Resources](https://blog.mchoneind.com/free-manufacturing-resources) - [Portfolio](https://www.mchoneind.com/portfolio/) - [Careers](https://www.mchoneind.com/careers/) - [Contact Us](https://www.mchoneind.com/contact-us/) - [Services](https://www.mchoneind.com/services/) - [Tube Production](https://www.mchoneind.com/services/tube-production/) - [Tube Bending & Tube Fabrication](https://www.mchoneind.com/services/tube-bending-fabrication/) - [Metal Weldments & Assemblies](https://www.mchoneind.com/services/weldments-and-assemblies/) - [Roll Forming](https://www.mchoneind.com/services/roll-forming/) - [Sheet Metal Fabrication](https://www.mchoneind.com/services/sheet-metal-fabrication/) - [Laser Cutting](https://www.mchoneind.com/services/laser-cutting-sheet-metal/) - [Robotic Welding](https://www.mchoneind.com/services/robotic-welding/) - [Bead Blasting](https://www.mchoneind.com/services/bead-blasting/) - [Powder Coating](https://www.mchoneind.com/services/powder-coating-services/) - [Ring Rolling](https://www.mchoneind.com/services/metal-rolling-service/) - [About](https://www.mchoneind.com/about/) [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mchoneind.com%2Fblog%2Ftypes-stainless-steel-welding%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mchoneind.com%2Fblog%2Ftypes-stainless-steel-welding%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mchoneind.com%2Fblog%2Ftypes-stainless-steel-welding%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mchoneind.com%2Fblog%2Ftypes-stainless-steel-welding%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Stainless%20Steel%20Welding%3A%20Choosing%20the%20Best%20Types%20of%20Steel) [![Share on Pinterest](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/pinterest-24x24.png)](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mchoneind.com%2Fblog%2Ftypes-stainless-steel-welding%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dpinterest&media=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn2.hubspot.net%2Fhubfs%2F1629394%2FImported_Blog_Media%2Fpexels-photo-13-1024x672.jpg) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mchoneind.com%2Fblog%2Ftypes-stainless-steel-welding%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mchoneind.com%2Fblog%2Ftypes-stainless-steel-welding%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) # Stainless Steel Welding: Choosing the Best Types of Steel - July 15, 2016 - McHone Industries, Inc. - [Comments Off](https://www.mchoneind.com/blog/types-stainless-steel-welding#comments-listing) ![Looking down the ends of a stack of steel tubes](https://www.mchoneind.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Stainless_Steel_Seamless_Pipe_and_Tube.jpg?width=800&height=287&name=Stainless_Steel_Seamless_Pipe_and_Tube.jpg) What makes a stainless steel good for welding? The secret is in the alloy ratios. All quality welding requires a high level of material **weldability**. Weldability is affected by the chemical composition of the metal. For example, steels with higher levels of carbon aren't as weldable due to their low ductility. So, which types of stainless steel should you use when your application involves welding? Let's take a look. ## Types of Stainless Steel for Welding When choosing the right stainless steel for your project, you need to consider if it will be welded. Different types of stainless steel respond differently to welding. Some are better than others for this type of fabrication. Here are the main types of stainless steel and their properties. ### Austenitic Austenitic stainless steels are the best option for welding. They contain a low ratio of carbon, which means they're more ductile. Higher ductility equals greater weldability. They also have the highest levels of chromium, which makes them the shiniest and most durable. Austenitic steels are the most common stainless steels across all industries, and are the best for highly corrosive environments. This category includes the common and sturdy grades 304(L), 316(L), and 347. Here's a full list: ![](https://www.mchoneind.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/1x1-pixel.png) **-201** **-202** **-301** **-302** **-303** **-304/L** **-305** **![](https://www.mchoneind.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/1x1-pixel.png)** **-309S** **-310S** **-316/L** **-317/LMN** **-321** **-347** ### Martensitic Martensitic steels are the second best option, though their composition may require pre- and post-weld treatment. Chemically, they fall between austenitic and ferritic steels in terms of carbon and chromium levels. Martensitics include the popular and shiny 400 series. **-403** **-410** **-416** **-420/F** **-440/A/C/F** ### Ferritic Ferritic steels aren't as suitable for welding. They have higher levels of carbon, which causes low ductility, high grain growth, and sensitization. Ferritic steels aren't as shiny due to the higher amounts of carbon and lower ratio of chromium. **-405** **-430/F** **-439** **-442** **-446** ### Duplex Duplex stainless steels are great for welding, and have been growing in popularity over recent years. Duplexes are a combination of ferritic and austenitic steels. They're closer chemically to austenitics, though with a higher yield strength and greater stress resistance. ![](https://www.mchoneind.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/1x1-pixel.png) **-LDX 2101** **-LDX 2404** **-DX 2202** **-RDN 903** **-2304** **![](https://www.mchoneind.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/1x1-pixel.png)** **-2205** **-2507** **-Zeron 100** **-Ferrinox 205/Uranus 2507Cu** ## Choose Your Stainless Steel Wisely! That's the skinny on how to choose your material for stainless steel welding. If your application involves a lot of welding, **choose a stainless steel with a high chromium to carbon ratio**. The austenitic series are your best bet. 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