QAME › Fabrication Guides › How to join and butt-weld overlay panels
Fabrication Guides · 06/08How to join and butt-weld overlay panels
- Prepare a butt joint in the backing steel — bevel from the mild steel side.
- Weld the backing with E7018 / E8018 (or E81T1-Ni2 wire). Where the weld would contact the overlay, use an ER307-type consumable.
- Leave the overlay edges unwelded with a small gap — do not attempt to fuse overlay to overlay structurally.
- Cap the joint gap flush with QARC™ hardfacing wire matched to the plate grade, so the seam wears with the plate.
- For liners, a simple step or shiplap layout with plug welds often outperforms butt joints and installs faster.