Forge Welding Temperature Calculator
Determine the safe forge welding temperature, flux type, and heat color when welding two different steel types together.
Inputs
Results
Welding Temperature
2,200 °F
Heat Color
Light Yellow / Lemon
Flux Recommendation
Borax (anhydrous) — apply generously at bright orange
How to Use This Calculator
- Select the steel types for both pieces being welded — the lower welding temperature of the pair determines the safe welding window.
- Enter ambient temperature (°F) to adjust for cold shop conditions which affect heat retention.
- Review the Target Welding Temperature (°F) — this is the lower of the two steels plus a small margin.
- Use a flux (borax) to prevent oxidation and watch for the steel to reach a wet, glassy appearance before striking.
- Never exceed the Maximum Safe Temperature shown, which risks burning or melting the high-carbon steel.
What each input means
- Steel 1
- The first steel in the weld pair. Different steels have different welding temperature ranges.
- Steel 2
- The second steel in the weld pair. When welding dissimilar steels, the target temperature is the lower of the two to avoid burning.
- Ambient Temperature
- The shop or outdoor air temperature. Cold ambient temps increase heat-up time slightly.
How this is calculated
Worked example, using the default values
- Identify Input ParametersSteel 1 = 1, Steel 2 = 2, Ambient Temperature = 70 = 3 input(s) provided
- Calculate Welding TemperatureWelding Temperature2200 = 2200
- Calculate Heat ColorHeat ColorLight Yellow / Lemon = Light Yellow / Lemon
- Calculate Flux RecommendationFlux RecommendationBorax (anhydrous) — apply generously at bright orange = Borax (anhydrous) — apply generously at bright orange
- Calculate Welding TemperatureWelding Temperature1204 = 1204
- Calculate DifficultyDifficultyModerate — watch for carbon migration = Moderate — watch for carbon migration
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