I searched this group for "22 stainless TIG" and didn't find much about my question.
I bought a small 6 x 8 sample of 22 gauge (about 0.03") type 304 stainless sheet and attempted to weld a square butt joint in the flat position. I set a very narrow gap --say 1/32".
I was using a Syncrowave 250, a 1/16 lanthanated tungsten, and about
30A without a pulser. (I actually had it set at 40A but backed off the pedal once the arc got started.) I used 1/16" 316L filler.It was difficult to get the arc started with "Lift Arc" so I used HF start.
I realize you have to move quicker with stainless and minimize heat input, but boy was this a bee-och. I got terrible warpage of the surrounding metal. Also the stainless just didn't readily "wet", like mild steel, and by the time it did I would just as soon burn thru.
When I failed at the butt joint I tried a lap joint both with and without filler. The problem without filler is that the metal on the upper part of the lap would melt but the lower section wouldn't. The molten upper part just preferred to recede away from the arc, as if it was solder that needed flux.
The lap joint with filler was better. The filler helps with the wetting issue but the warpage was still there and the weld looked like it was done by a special-needs child.
In both cases I expected some sugaring on the reverse side and got it. I didn't bother to dam up some argon there. But the sugaring is the least of my problems.
Do I need go off to a monastery to practice more or is this weld just never attempted? To see someone actually do it would be great. Is there a Youtube video someone could point me at?
--zeb