Many businesses today have the need for welded aluminum. However, not all alloys can be successfully welded and it is not always a simple or straightforward process. It’s best to use a reputable industrial medal supply company in San Francisco but if you have the need to weld aluminum for small projects, here are some of the most common questions (with solutions) you may face.
1. What precautions should I take before welding aluminum?
Many companies today use a process called fusion welding. This can be done with a variety of welding methods (like MIG or TIG). Here are some of the precautions you should consider:
- Proper shielding
- Cleanliness
- Use quality parent material (aluminum to be welded)
2. Why is the weld weaker than the aluminum?
This often happens when you weld aluminum alloys and should always be taken into consideration. In fact, the weld may not have the same corrosion resistance as the aluminum either. This is why it is important to use the right aluminum alloys for the job and your industrial metal supply company in San Francisco will help you make the right choices.
3. Can 2024 aluminum alloy be fusion welded?
Because 2000 series aluminum does not respond well to fusion welding, you may have better luck with a solid state process. For example, friction stir methods have been proven highly successful for materials like 2024 aluminum. However, due to the difficulty of welding 2024, you may be better off using a 5000 series alloy instead.
4. What is the best shielding gas for welding aluminum?
Argon may be the best choice when it comes to shielding gas for either MIG or TIG welding. It cleans better than helium and is cheaper, and one should not mix these two gases, as results may be disappointing. In addition, it is not recommended to use either CO2 or O2 because they will cause your aluminum alloy to oxidize.
5. What is the biggest mistake inexperienced welders make with aluminum?
There are several common errors but one of the most common is failure to properly clean the aluminum before welding. Even material fresh from your industrial metal supply service in San Francisco should be cleaned. You can tell if your metal needs cleaning when the spark wanders and the filler rolls up into a ball instead of melting in place. This happens when you do not clean the oxide layer off the metal. Aluminum oxide has a higher melting point than the aluminum underneath, and it is like trying to weld two pieces of dissimilar metals.