Can Inconel be welded?

Tips for Welding Inconel
Inconel refers to a group of specific nickel-chromium alloys used in different welding processes. Inconel is most commonly used in technologies that require high heat resistance. Welding Inconel can be quite difficult because the resulting welds are prone to cracking. There are several Inconel alloys designed specifically for welding. They are most commonly welded using tungsten inert gas welding, or TIG as it is also known.

Best results
For best results when welding with Inconel alloys, you should use Inconel 625 filler metal. This is the easiest Inconel to weld and is very effective when two Inconel pieces need to be welded together. You can also use Inconel 625 to weld other metals of different compositions, such as stainless steel. When welding with Inconel, it is common for the weld pool to be poorly defined. Inconel fillers tend to leave a skin-like film on the surface of the weld pool, giving it a dirty appearance. There is no need to call the police if this happens during welding, it is a common side effect of using Inconel as part of the welding process. Using Inconel produces strong welds that are highly resistant to corrosion when used correctly.

The most common method used when welding with Inconel is the TIG technique. This method gives the welder more control over the weld than other methods such as GMAW and SMAW. Because of the difficulties that alloys can present, it is important for the welder to have better control over the weld. You have to put in a lot of practice time to become proficient with TIG and Inconel. Welding Inconel with TIG is very demanding on the welder and the more practice you have with the alloy, the better you will become.

Automation technology
When you need to work with Inconel, you may also want to consider automated welding technology. Plasma arc welding uses a more focused welding arc and is easy to automate. You can also use pulsed microlaser welding, which is becoming increasingly popular among welders when you have to weld with Inconel. Welding Inconel is a very demanding process and should not be attempted by beginners; mastering the art of working with Inconel takes time and is not something that can be learned overnight. But once you acquire the knowledge and skills, working with Inconel is less intimidating.