lightspree

I have heard that the corrosion resistance of 953 is compromised at and near the welds. Is this true? If so, what are the best solutions?

What about brazing and lugged frames?

Scooper

The folks who could tell you whether or not 953 is more susceptible to corrosion at/near TIG welds are framebuilders like Carl Strong in Montana, Jason Rourke in the U.K., and Ora Engineering in Taiwan who are among the few who build TIG'd 953 frames. If this is a concern for you, I'd try asking them.

This Genesis blog gives some insight into the issues associated with building very lightweight (very thin-walled tubing) TIG-welded 953 race frames.

My own nine year old 953 Waterford frame uses brazed lug construction, but the fastback seat stays are TIG welded with double pass welding, then filed, sanded, and polished to look like fillet brazed but without the discoloration and potential for undercutting of brazing using brass filler.

There has been zero, nada, zilch corrosion or discoloration at either the brazed lugs or the TIG-welded seat stays. I live a mile from the Pacific Ocean and frequently ride in the rain, and don't use any protective coating on the frame; it's bare polished steel.

Scooper

I might add that Reynolds recommends using AWS ER630 wire for TIG welding 953. Use of other wire may increase the possibility of corrosion around the weld. Also, a shielding inert gas like argon to prevent weld contamination helps prevent later corrosion at the weld.