What grade or grades of steel should be used for spacers?

Using the same grade of steel for spacers as the base metal is critical to ensure compatibility and maintain the integrity of the welded joint. This practice helps in avoiding issues related to thermal expansion, mechanical properties, and strength discrepancies that can arise when different grades of steel are welded together.

When the spacer and the base metal are made of the same material, the weld area benefits from similar characteristics, including the ability to withstand stresses and strains without the risk of failure at the junction. This alignment in material properties helps facilitate uniformity in performance under load, reducing potential vulnerabilities in the weld joint during service.

In contrast, while commercial grades, high-strength steel, or low carbon steel might serve certain applications, they do not guarantee the same performance or compatibility with the specific base metal used in the construction. Differences in mechanical properties, such as yield strength and ductility, can create weak points in the welds when inappropriate materials are selected for spacers. Therefore, choosing the same grade as the base metal ensures a holistic approach to structural integrity.