Materials

Common problems when welding cast iron

Quick answer

Common cast iron welding problems: cracking from cooling too fast, porosity from impurities, and trying to weld one long bead. Fix with preheat, short beads, peening and slow cooling.

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Problem → cause → fix

SymptomCauseFix
New cracksfast coolingpreheat, peen, bury in sand
Porous beaddirty castinggrind skin, drill crack ends
Weld detachessteel rod on ironuse nickel ENiFe rods