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put the viton O-ring on something that won't burn up and is safe (like an asbestos pad)
Uhhhhh... Asbestos is not "safe" and should be disposed of properly. Please do not use it at any time or under any circumstances. Now back to your regularly scheduled program.
 
than some of the other choices people use.

Like concrete. Many people think concrete is a good "backing plate" to weld on. That's a VERY bad idea; if there is ANY moisture in it (and there nearly always is) it can literally explode due to a steam explosion within the concrete. Bad news.

Ok, so high-temp ceramic might be a better choice :)

Asbestos is of no harm so long as it is not "friable" (that is, producing dust or fragments.) The insane witch-hunt mentality surrounding it is only partially justified; it is very dangerous in particulate form, but of no harm at all in solid, non-particulate form.

(I used to do work for one of the largest US asbestos abatement outfits, many years ago..... they made a LOT of money removing the stuff. The problem with removing or disturbing it is that you nearly always create some dust when doing so, and THAT is the dangerous part.)
 
it "cures". The water you put in it when you poured your foundation is still there. Heating concrete (like building even a small fire on it) is an invitation to disaster. Concrete does a great impression of "popcorn" and it can do it rather quickly. "Fired" bricks and such are safe... you might also just place it on a piece of steel.

As an auto-technician for 30 years, I attest to the problems of asbestos. Glad it's gone.
 
in general using steel if you're welding is asking to end up with the work welded to the steel :)
 
when concrete explodes from heated moisture expanding, its called spalling (sounds like falling but with sp). It happens during fires in buildings constructed with concrete decks. Heats up, explodes, and rains down on the firefighters below it... been there, done that.. sucks...:upset:

welding is a very focused point of heat that is not going to be in the same spot long enough to cause anything more than a small crackle or sizzle. but toss a good size chunk of concrete in a camp fire and look out. you're talking about a sustained temperature needed in the 1500 to 2000 degree range for this to happen, a 30 second torch job is not going to acomplish this.
 

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