STAINLESS STEEL THREADED WELD STUDS ISO 13918

Threaded Weld Studs ISO 13918 — Threaded Weld Studs to ISO 13918 are fused directly to a base component by a welding process rather than fitted into a drilled and tapped hole, leaving a threaded shank standing proud of the surface ready to take a nut or bracket — which removes hole preparation entirely and is the main reason to choose this over a conventional stud. The weld end is fused to the parent metal using an arc welding process, typically drawn-arc or capacitor discharge welding depending on stud diameter and material thickness, creating a permanent metallurgical bond rather than a mechanical fit, while the threaded end remains completely free to accept a nut or mating component in the usual way. That makes weld studs the practical choice for providing a threaded fixing point on sheet metal, structural steelwork, cladding, enclosures, and fabricated assemblies, wherever drilling and tapping either isn't practical (thin sheet that can't be usefully tapped), isn't wanted (avoiding a through-hole for sealing or aesthetic reasons), or would be too slow for the production method being used. Because the process is a genuine weld, the base material needs to be clean and free of coatings, scale, mill oxide, or contamination at the weld point to get a sound fusion, and preparation and process settings need to suit the specific material and thickness involved — a factor that matters more here than with any mechanically fitted stud. Stainless steel is readily weldable by both drawn-arc and capacitor discharge methods, but the heat-affected zone around any weld is where corrosion resistance is most likely to be compromised, so A4 (316-equivalent) is worth specifying over A2 wherever the studs will be exposed outdoors, to marine air, or to washdown and de-icing salt, since that zone is the first place pitting will start on a lower-grade material. Diameter and thread length should be chosen to suit the load the fixing needs to carry and the projection needed to fit a nut, washer, and bracket once welded in place.

FAQs
How does a weld stud differ from a standard threaded rod or double end stud?
A threaded rod or double end stud is mechanically fitted using threads, tapped holes, or nuts at both ends. A weld stud has one end permanently fused to the base material by welding, with no mechanical thread or hole preparation needed at that end.

Which welding process is used for stainless weld studs?
Drawn-arc welding is typically used for larger diameters and heavier sections, while capacitor discharge welding suits smaller studs and thinner sheet where minimising heat input and distortion matters; the appropriate method depends on stud size and the base material thickness.

Does welding affect the corrosion resistance of the stud or base material nearby?
The heat-affected zone around the weld is generally the most vulnerable point to corrosion on both the stud and the parent material, which is why A4 stainless is the safer specification wherever the assembly will face outdoor, marine, or washdown conditions rather than relying on A2's performance in that localised zone.