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Lincoln Electric Blue Max 312 Stainless TIG Rod - 1/16 Inch - 10lb Tube

$52.24/lb $303.80/10lb tube only $30.38/lbSave 42%

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OVERVIEW

The Ultimate "Problem Solver" TIG Rod for Maintenance Welding

When you are out in the field or deep in the shop and faced with a broken part made of mystery metal, you don't have time to send a sample to a lab. You need a welding rod that works the first time, every time. Enter the Lincoln Electric Blue Max® 312 TIG Rod. Known among seasoned welders as the "problem solver" or the "universal" rod, this ER312 stainless filler is the secret weapon for maintenance crews everywhere.

Why is it so effective? The Blue Max 312 is formulated to weld dissimilar metals and steels that are notoriously difficult to join. Whether you are fixing a broken leaf spring, repairing a tool steel die, or welding a stainless bracket to a mild steel frame, this rod handles it all without cracking. Standard stainless rods like 308L or 316L are great for their specific alloys, but they can crack if the base metal has high carbon content or unknown impurities. The 312 alloy has a two-phase structure that naturally resists cracking, giving you peace of mind on critical repairs.

This 10lb tube of 1/16" rods is perfect for fine detail work and controlled heat input. The rods feed smoothly and create a puddle that wets out beautifully, leaving a bead that looks as good as it holds. The high tensile strength means your repair is often stronger than the original base metal. It is also an excellent choice for building up worn shafts before machining or acting as a cushion layer before applying hardfacing.

Best Uses for Lincoln Blue Max 312:

  • Dissimilar Joints: Perfect for joining carbon steel to stainless steel.
  • Unknown Steels: The safest bet when you don't know the grade of the steel you are welding.
  • Hard-to-Weld Steels: Ideal for high-carbon steels, tool steels, and abrasion-resistant plates.
  • Broken Bolts & Studs: Excellent for building up heads on broken bolts for extraction.

Don't let a difficult repair job stop your production. Keep a tube of Lincoln Electric ED035217 Blue Max 312 TIG rods on your shelf, and be ready for whatever comes through the door.

Additional Information
Brand:Lincoln Electric
AWS Spec:ER312
Diameter:1.6mm (1/16")
Grade:312
Packaging:10 lb Tube
Weld Process:TIG (GTAW)
Material Composition:Stainless Steel
AWS Classification:ER312
Shielding Gas Requirement:100% Argon
Polarity:DCEN
Tensile Strength:120,000 PSI
Elongation:25%
Packaging Description:10lb tube

INCLUDED

  • 10 lb Tube of Blue Max® 312 TIG Rods (1/16" Diameter)

APPLICATIONS

  • Joining dissimilar metals (e.g., stainless to mild steel)
  • Repairing tool steels, die steels, and spring steels
  • Welding abrasion-resistant (AR) plate
  • Maintenance on cast and wrought alloys
  • Buffer layers for hardfacing
  • Repairing shafts and gears

FAQ

ER312 has a much higher tensile strength and a specialized two-phase microstructure (high ferrite) that makes it extremely resistant to cracking, making it superior for welding dissimilar metals or unknown high-carbon steels.

You should use 100% Argon shielding gas for TIG welding with ER312 rods to ensure a clean, oxidation-free weld.

While ER312 can be used for some cast iron repairs due to its high ductility, high-nickel rods (like Ni-Rod) are generally preferred for cast iron. However, ER312 is excellent for joining cast steel to carbon steel.

Use DCEN (Direct Current Electrode Negative), also known as Straight Polarity, for TIG welding with this stainless rod.

ER312 has good corrosion resistance, but for marine environments specifically, ER316L is usually the better choice due to its molybdenum content which resists salt water corrosion better.

It is called universal because it can successfully weld a wide variety of steels, including stainless, mild, high-carbon, and tool steels, to themselves or to each other without cracking.

These rods are 1/16 inch (approximately 1.6mm) in diameter.

Yes, ER312 weld deposits work harden, which contributes to their durability and wear resistance in service.

CATALOGUE & SPEC SHEETS

Spec Sheet
Safety Data Sheet
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