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Welding Stainless SteelWelding Stainless SteelWhat is stainless steel?The most important alloying element in stainless steel is chromium. A high chromiumcontent in steel results in corrosion- and heat resistance. Corrosion attack of thesesteels is prevented by a very thin, closed, chrominum oxide layer on the steel surface.To be stainless the steel needs a minimum of 12-14% chromium and a clean, smoothsurface. Higher chromium contents result in higher corrosion resistance. The chromiumcontent can vary from 12 to 30% for the various stainless steel types. For bettermechanical properties and even better corrosion resistance other alloying elements asnickel, molybdenum, titanium and niobium are added. Nickel is used up to 20% andmolybdenum up to about 5%.Stainless steels types:Ferritic chromium steel: this type contains more than 12% chromium and has a lowcarbon content (