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How to weld 316L Marine Handrails w/o discoloration

I recently bought a tig welder to manufacture the handrails on my sailboat. With just a little practice actually welding and more practice applying the argon shield I have some decent welds. However, I still have some discoloring in the heat zone. What can I do to improve the finish near the weld?

Paul

Paul Stephans
Hobbyist - Houston, Texas, USA
February 15, 2009

Polish off the surface colour after you've finished welding. The colour is caused by a thin film of oxides that is inevitable when the metal is heated with access to oxygen. You can't weld without heating the adjacent zone, and you can't keep air away from the hot areas, so you can't prevent the colour from forming.

Bill Reynolds [deceased]
consultant metallurgist - Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
We sadly relate the news that Bill passed away on Jan. 29, 2010.
February 17, 2009

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