What is aluminium welding?
What is aluminium welding?
Aluminum is a common type of metal used in fabrication. It’s non-corrosive, lightweight and pleasing to the eye, making it an ideal choice of material for a wide variety of welds. However, the same traits that make aluminum desirable can also make it tricky to work with.
How long does it take to weld aluminum?
Always keep your aluminum dry and stored at room temperature. It should be welded within a few days, and if it’s not, clean the joint again. Safety is another critical component to welding aluminum, or any material for that matter.
How to avoid weld cracks in aluminum welding?
Preheating: Preheating the aluminum workpiece can help avoid weld cracking. Preheating temperature should not exceed 230 F-use a temperature indicator to prevent overheating. In addition, placing tack welds at the beginning and end of the area to be welded will aid in the preheating effort.
Can You weld aluminum with a short circuit?
Short-circuit transfer should be avoided on industrial aluminum applications. Unlike when welding steel, conventional short circuit is much more problematic when welding aluminum. As the weld solidifies quickly, it leads to increased lack of penetration/fusion problems as well as increased porosity levels.
Can You MIG weld aluminum thinner than 14 gauge?
To MIG weld aluminum thinner than 14 gauge (.074 inch), it may be necessary to use specialized pulsed MIG or AC TIG welding equipment. Keep it clean: Aluminum should be thoroughly cleaned prior to welding, including the removal of any lubricants from the material.
How do you fix MIG welding problems with aluminum?
If you run into these common challenges when MIG welding aluminum, consider these steps to address the problem. Increase the travel speed and make shorter welds. Move around on the part, spreading out the heat. Use thicker material, change the joint design or switch the welding process to AC TIG.
How do I maintain my Millermatic® welder?
Use the proper base metal cleaning techniques, such as using a stainless steel brush. Check for proper shielding gas and wire alloy type. Check the inside cover of your Millermatic ® welder for optimal starting setting or to fine tune for your application. Order the Millermatic MIG Calculator for good starting settings.
