Any Welders? What Filler Rod - Welding Stainless/Inconel

[kev b]

I need to repair a crack in a 2003 Mercedes CLK 230 exhaust manifold. It is the later type and appears to be made of Inconel or Stainless. Does anyone know the best type of filler to TIG weld it? A new one is £400+ so I would like to get it right first time.

[kev b]

Bump

[thinfourth2]

Well inconel and stainless are very different materials

Also you need to know about heat treating, stress reliving etc so basically a fecking nightmare to do it properly and i can't see mercedes being of any help.

I doudt it is inconel as that is expensive

So either braze it and hope or use a 17-4 filler rod and hope.

[Lizardking]

I dont know whether this will help, but at the moment I'm brazing Iconel, stainless steel and copper coated optical fibre together to make high temp probes.
I'm using a Flux called EF (for Iconel) and sometimes use a flux HT5 (for Stainless Steel).
I'm using Silver solder (455).
The company I use is http://www.cupalloys.co.uk/ (he's also very good for advice)
Hope that helps.

[kev b]

Thanks for your help guys,looks like brazing is the safest option, I'll let everyone know the outcome as my research shows this problem is becoming more common.

[R12HCO]

I would doubt its inconel - would cost a fortune on a mass produced car. I would have a guess at it being stainless if i were to choose out of the too. I would use a 304 or 316 wire, if so.