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Brushing 304L Stainless Steel Welds  

June 11, 2009

We manufacture tanks out of T304L stainless steel and are wondering what is the best way to clean up our welds? Is it better to use a SS knot brush or pickling paste or something else?

Brent Friesen
Industrialist - Rosenort, Manitoba, Canada

Brent,
There are three main methods to clean up stainless steel weld discolorations. The first is mechanical, via SS wire brush, grinding, or some other abrasive process. The second is chemical, i.e. pickling with harsh acids, often a nitric based pickling paste is used. The third is electrochemical, involving a current applied to the weld area. Same basic principle as electropolishing, but less refined and applied only where it is needed. Very safe chemistry can be used to perform this.

Which method is "best" is often a case by case basis and a matter of personal tolerance. Each of them has their own advantages and disadvantages, especially depending on the number and geometry of the welded areas you are dealing with.

Let us know if we can help.

Ray Kremer Stellar Solutions, Inc. McHenry, Illinois