What is the difference between 4043 and 5356 aluminum wire?

What is the difference between 4043 and 5356 aluminum wire?

As a basic description we can say that 4043 is an aluminum filler alloy with 5% silicon added and that 5356 is an aluminum filler alloy with 5% magnesium added. However, there are many common structural aluminum base alloys that can be welded with either 4043 or 5356. One such alloy is 6061.

What are the filler wire sizes commonly used for TIG welding?

Tig Welding Guide

What filler metal is used to weld aluminum?

Proper filler metal selection is equally important. The most common aluminum filler metals are 4043 and 5356 alloys, both of which are available in wires for gas metal arc welding (GMAW) and cut-lengths (often called filler rods) for gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW).

What is the best TIG rod for aluminum?

4043 aluminum tig rod – the most versatile for 3003, 6061, a355 aluminum castings etc. and do yourself a favor and get some 4047 aluminum filler rod for castings where porosity rares its ugly head. 4047 filler rod contains 12% silicon. That makes it flow better, with less porosity.

How do I choose a TIG filler rod?

In general, use a filler rod with a diameter less than the thickness of the metal being welded. With a base metal thickness under 1/8 inch, the rod diameter should be slightly thinner than the metal being welded. For stainless sheet metal, use one size lower than you would use for carbon steel.

How do I choose welding filler wire?

There are seven key factors to consider when selecting a filler metal: The base material to be welded, the welding position, regulatory specifications and codes, design requirements, shielding gas, post-weld heat treatment, and welding equipment.

What is TIG 5356 wire used for?

Alloy 5356 (TIG) Description: Aluminum Welding Alloy Alloy 5356 is an all position non-heat treatable TIG wire used to weld the 5XXX series alloys when 40,000 psi tensile strength is not a requirement. Alloy 5356 is a very good all purpose wire so it is the most widely used of all aluminum fillers metals.

Should I use 5356 or 5356 filler wire?

However, if both strength and conductivity are required, use 5356 filler metal and increase the weld reinforcement to compensate for the lower conductivity of 5356. Good weld quality is obtained only if the filler wire is clean and of high quality.

Can You weld with 4043 or 5356 filler alloy?

There are some misconceptions within the industry that you can successfully weld any aluminum base alloy with either 4043 or 5356 filler alloy. I must start by saying that this is not the case. However, there are many common structural aluminum base alloys that can be welded with either 4043 or 5356. One such alloy is 6061.

What does 5356 mean?

Alloy 5356 is an all position non-heat treatable TIG wire used to weld the 5XXX series alloys when 40,000 psi tensile strength is not a requirement. Alloy 5356 is a very good all purpose wire so it is the most widely used of all aluminum fillers metals.

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