ANS:D - inert gas arc welding.

Stainless steel is typically welded using inert gas arc welding, commonly known as gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) or TIG (tungsten inert gas) welding. Explanation:

1. Inert Gas Arc Welding (GTAW/TIG): This welding process uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode to create the arc, and a shielding gas, typically argon or a mixture of argon and helium, to protect the weld area from atmospheric contamination. In TIG welding of stainless steel, the inert gas shield prevents oxidation and ensures a clean, strong weld joint. TIG welding is well-suited for stainless steel due to its ability to produce high-quality welds with excellent appearance, mechanical properties, and corrosion resistance.

While oxy-acetylene and oxy-hydrogen flames are used for welding certain types of metals, they are not typically used for stainless steel welding due to the risk of oxidation and poor weld quality. Arc welding, on the other hand, is a broad category of welding processes that includes techniques like shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) and gas metal arc welding (GMAW), which can be used for stainless steel welding but may not provide the same level of precision and control as TIG welding for this material.