HAYNES^® 556^® alloy is readily welded by gas tungsten arc (GTAW), gas metal arc (GMAW), shielded metal arc (coated electrode), and resistance welding techniques. Submerged arc welding is not recommended as this process is characterized by high heat input to the base metal and slow cooling of the weld. These factors can increase weld restraint and promote cracking.

Base Metal Preparation
The joint surface and adjacent area should be thoroughly cleaned before welding. All grease, oil, crayon marks, sulfur compounds and other foreign matter should be removed. It is preferable, but not necessary, that the alloy be in the solution-annealed condition when welded.

Filler Metal Selection
Matching composition filler metal is recommended for joining 556 alloy. For shielded metal-arc welding, MULTIMET^® electrodes (AMS 5795) are suggested. For dissimilar metal joining of 556 alloy to nickel- or cobalt-base materials, 556 filler metal will generally be a good selection, but HASTELLOY S alloy (AMS 5838A) or HASTELLOY W alloy (AMS 5786B, 5787A) welding products may be used. For dissimilar welding to iron-base materials, 556 filler metal is recommended. Please see publication H-3159.

Preheating, Interpass Temperatures and Post-Weld Heat Treatment
Preheat is not usually required so long as base metal to be welded is above 32°F (0°C). Interpass temperatures generally should be low. Auxiliary cooling methods may be used between weld passes, as needed, providing that such methods do not introduce contaminants. Post-weld heat treatment is not normally required for 556 alloys.

Nominal Welding Parameters
Nominal welding parameters are provided as a guide for performing typical operations. These are based upon welding conditions used in Haynes International, Inc. laboratories. For further information, please consult Haynes publication H-3159.

Automatic Gas Tungsten Arc Welding

Square Butt Joint - No Filler Metal Added
	Material Thickness
	0.040" (1.0mm)	0.062" (1.6mm)	0.125" (3.2mm)

Current (DCEN), amperes	45	75	110
Voltage	8	8.5	9.5
Travel Speed, in/min. (mm/min)	10 (254)	12 (305)	12 (305)
Electrode Size-EWTH-2, in (mm)	1/16 (1.6)	3/32 (2.4)	1/8 (3.2)
Electrode Shape	45° inc	45° inc	45° inc
Cup Size	#8	#8	#8
Shielding Gas Flow, CFH (l/min.)	30 (14.2)	30 (14.2)	30 (14.2)
Gas Type	Argon	Argon	Argon
Backing Gas, CFH (l/min.)	10 (4.7)	10 (4.7)	10 (4.7)
Gas Type	Argon	Argon	Argon

Manual Gas Tungsten Arc Welding

V- or U-Groove - All Thicknesses 1/8" (3.2 mm) or greater
Technique Current (DCEN), amperes Voltage Filler Metal Travel Speed, ipm (mm/min) Electrode Size-EWTH-2, in (mm) Electrode Shape Cup Size Gas Type Shielding Gas Flow, CFH (l/min.) Backing Gas Flow, CFH (l/min.) Preheat Interpass Temperature Maximum	- Stringer Bead - 120 root, 140-150 Fill - 11 to 14 - 1/8" diameter (3.2 mm) 556^® alloy - 4 to 6 (102-152) - 1/8" diameter (3.2 mm) - 30° included - #6 or larger - Argon - 30 to 35 (14.2 to 16.5) - 10 (4.7) or back-gouge to sound metal and fill from root side - Ambient - 200°F (93°C)

Gas Metal Arc Welding

	Short Circuiting Transfer Mode All Thicknesses 0.090" and greater (2.3 mm)	Spray Transfer Mode All Thicknesses 0.156" and greater (4.0 mm)
Wire Type	556 alloy	556 alloy
Wire Diameter, in (mm)	0.045 (1.1)	0.062 (1.6)
Feed Speed, ipm (m/min)	170 to 190 (4.3 to 4.8)	160 to 170 (4.0 to 4.3)
Current (DCEP), amperes	100 to 110	210 to 230
Voltage	20 to 22	28 to 30
Stickout, in (mm)	1/2 - 3/4 (12.7 to 19.1)	3/4 (19.1)
Travel Speed, ipm (mm/min)	8 to 10 (203 to 254)	9 to 12 (229 to 305)
Torch Gas Flow, CFH (l.min.)	40 (18.9)	40 (18.9)
Gas Type	A1025 (90% He, 7.5% Ar, 2.5% CO₂ or 75% Ar + 25% He)	Argon

Shielded Metal Arc Welding

No matching chemistry SMAW electrodes are currently available for HAYNES^® 556^® alloy.MULTIMET electrodes (AMS 5795) have been successfully used to join 556 alloy. Typical parameters for MULTIMET electrodes (flat position) are given below.

Electrode Diameter		Voltage	Current (DCEP)	Travel Speed
in	(mm)		amperes	ipm	(mm/min)

3/32	(2.4)	22 - 24	45 - 75	3 - 5	(76 - 127)
1/8	(3.2)	22 - 24	70 - 110	4 - 6	(102 - 152)
5/32	(4.0)	23 - 25	110 - 140	4 - 6	(102 - 152)

Typical Tensile Properties, All-Weld Metal (GTAW)

Test Temperature		Ultimate Tensile Strength		Yield Strength at 0.2% Offset		Elongation in 2 in. (50.8 mm)
°F	°C	Ksi	MPa	Ksi	MPa	%

Room	Room	107.3	740	67.3	465	43.1
1200	648	71.4	490	44.6	310	39.4
1400	760	55.2	380	42.4	290	38.9
1600	871	32.8	225	29.0	200	51.9
1800	982	29.2	200	20.7	145	125.7

Typical crack-free face and root bends for welded HAYNES^® 556^® alloy
0.5 inch (13 mm) plate and matching filler metal.
Bend radius was 0.75 inch (19 mm).

Haynes International, Inc. 800-354-0806 765-456-6012

HAYNES® 556® alloy Information

An iron-nickel-chromium-cobalt alloy that combines effective resistance to sulfidizing, carburizing and chlorine-bearing environments with good oxidation resistance, fabricability and excellent high-temperature strength.

HAYNES^® 556^®alloy Information

An iron-nickel-chromium-cobalt alloy that combines effective resistance to sulfidizing,
carburizing and chlorine-bearing environments with good oxidation resistance,
fabricability and excellent high-temperature strength.