Weld-L's

[Seth]

On Tue, 2 Sep 1997, Frank F Parker wrote:

> > >> Does anybody have a source for these "weld-L's"?  I've called the local
> > >> hydraulic supply houses and they don't have a clue what I'm talking about.
> > >> I've done a web-search as well, but come up empty, only to find thin-wall
> > >> tubing.
> > >> 
> > Thanks for the feedback, and if anyone else has any leads, please let me know.
> > 
> > Brock Fraser
> > fraser at netten.net
> > 
> Brock,
> 
> I looked them up in McMaster Carr catalog, page1433 of catalog #98,
> phone # 708-833-0300, Chicago; IL  :
> 
> 	304 Stainless, 1 1/2 " ips, schedule 40, 90deg elbow, $16
> 	Also available in schedule 5,10, and 80
> 
> 80 is thicker. Meet ASTM std A-403/A
> 
> These are also available in mild steel. I have built sevsral turbo
> manifolds using them. Work very well.
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Frank Parker
> 
> 
> 
Just a note of caution- the tubing shoud be 304L not just 304, for usage 
at elevated temp.  Straight 304 has too much carbon and sensitizes.  The 
chromium in the stainless forms chromium carbide, and you get mild steel 
mixed with stainless and carbides.  Ther result can corrrode faster than 
mild steel.  The temp rande to stay away from is from 800F to say 1400F ( 
quoting from memory here) this is about the temp of exhaust gasses and 
probably the manifold.  Carefully welded 304L has less carbon and none 
introduced by welding and then doesn't corrode in this fashion.  This 
phenomenon is a contributor to the early decomissioning of some nuclear 
reactors.  

Don't want to scare anyone, just make sure it is "L" grade stainless ( or 
321 or 347) that you weld on for high temp use.

Seth Allen