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Metal welded on ship deck-corrosion problem

2005

We have a stainless steel mount for supporting our telecommunication system placed on several ships. The mount is welded to the ship deck but I think it might cause corrosion problems later on because of the way it is welded. Currently I can see pinholes at many places in the welding plus a lot of welding is splattered around, stitch welding done for the side brackets, etc.....all these things make me have butterflies in my stomach.

Does any one have any comments as in what type of welding should be used, is it just the poor welding which is the source of the problem or could there be other reasons too......I would appreciate any comments you have!

Thanks,

Abhi
Telecommunication - NY, New York

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Dear Sir;
May I assume that the deck material is carbon steel?
The welder should use a welding filler metal that is suitable to weld the stainless steel bracket to the carbon steel, such as 309 alloy. This can be used for tig welding and stick welding etc. the two dissimilar metals.

Spatter is almost always the sign of excess amperage, excessive arc length (stick welding) or low operator skills. Pin holes may be from dirty metal, or a lack of shielding gas if it was tig welded or mig welded.

I hope this is of some help.
Jonathan Bennett.

Jon Bennett
welder training business - Bridgenorth, Ontario, Canada
May 18, 2008