Welding Electroless Nickle

[MadMango]

I have a part that is CRS 1020 which is electroless nickle coated. In the effort to keep inventory down, this same part is being considered for TIG weldment to HRPO 1008. What effect will the coating have on the weld strength and appearance?

Ray Reynolds
"Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons."
Popular Mechanics, forecasting the relentless march of science, 1949
Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[metengr]

MadMango;
I would say that the nickel plate should not interfere with GTAW (TIG) welding because it would be absorbed by the weld deposit under shielding gas. The arc during welding generates tremendous heat, and the nickel plate (being relatively pure nickel) would melt and dissolve in the weld puddle.

As any good engineer would do, I would weld a mock-up using ASME Section IX guidelines to determine appearance affects, and perform bend/tensile testing to assure no adverse affects. This way you could even qualify a weld procedure.

 

[Carburize]

The high phosphorus content of the electroless nickel may present embrittlement problems. The test weld suggested by metengr is essential.

 

[MadMango]

That's for the input folks. We'll do tests as suggested.

Ray Reynolds
"Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons."
Popular Mechanics, forecasting the relentless march of science, 1949
Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?