Can i Mig weld stainless steel with mild steel wire?

[R1 Indy]

Quick question, basically i need to weld a stainless steel bracket onto my stainless steel exhaust can.

The problem is, i have half a reel of stainless mig wire somewhere, but have completely ransacked the garage, and its nowhere to be seen!

I don't really have time to be ordering another reel and waiting for postage.

So what would happen if i used mild steel wire?

Would it be fine, but the weld would rust?

Or would it weld poorly/crack?

Cheers

[SuperchargedVR6]

I migged up my stainless car exhaust with mild wire and it's been fine for 1000s of miles. So long as you use the argon/co2 mix and get good penetration, it'll be fine. Yeah it will probably rust, but it's a hot exhaust

[R1 Indy]

it would be a 60 mile round trip to buy some off the shelf, and guess what will be staring me in the face when i get back!

I think i will give it a go, i can always redo at a later time if i goes badly.

[virgil]

I welded some 10mm stainless 303 bar for some barbeque grills probably about 6 or 7 years ago with plain mig wire on argon shield. The weld sits slightly more proud than on mild steel but the grill joints haven't got a sign of rust after sitting out for 6+ winters...can't say the same for the rest of the mild steel BBQ though :-) ....you'll be fine.

[Mr2Mike]

I've welded steel hangers etc. onto stainless exhausts many times with no problems at all other than the weld seem to be very prone to rusting (i.e. more so than if welding a mild steel exhaust).

Edited by Mr2Mike on Saturday 3rd November 13:05

[OlberJ]

It'll be fine. Get some paint on it if it's towards the back of the exhaust and it'll look fine too.

[PhillipM]

It will weld fine, be touch more crack prone and of course it will rust around the weld.