Welding aluminum is a skill that requires precision and knowledge of the right techniques, safety precautions, and tools. Knowing the right tips and tricks can make the welding process much easier and more efficient. In this guide, we’ll provide an overview of welding aluminum, including the basics of setting up your workspace, selecting the right tools, understanding safety precautions, and more. With this information in hand you’ll be able to confidently tackle any aluminum welding project!
What is Aluminum welding and what type of Welders can be used?
Aluminum welding is a process of joining two pieces of aluminum together by melting them together. It can be done using various types of welding machines such as MIG, TIG, and arc welders. Each type of welder has its own unique set of advantages and disadvantages. For example, MIG welding is the fastest method for aluminum welding but it requires a lot of skill and experience to do it correctly. On the other hand, TIG welding is slower but produces a much higher quality weld than MIG or arc welding.
No matter which type of welder you choose to use for aluminum welding, it’s important to know the basics in order to get good results. Here we will look at each type of welder and discuss their pros and cons so that you can make an informed decision when choosing which one is right for your project.
- 1. Gas welding: such as carbon dioxide and other gases, gas welding can be used for repair welding of aluminum sheets and castings that do not require high welding quality.
- 2. Electrode arc welding: It can be used for repair welding of aluminum alloy castings and is a relatively common welding method.
- 3. Inert gas welding: The use of inert gas to isolate the air and protect the welding points is the most widely used welding method for aluminum and aluminum alloys.
- 4. Tungsten AC argon arc welding or tungsten pulse argon arc welding. Aluminum alloy doors and windows can adopt tungsten-helium arc welding, argon-helium mixed tungsten-arc welding, melting-electrode gas-arc welding, pulse melting-electrode gas-arc welding, etc.
- 5. Resistance spot welding and seam welding, this kind of welding requires large current and high productivity, and is suitable for mass-produced parts.
The Step-by-Step Process of Welding Aluminum
1. Cleaning before welding: Aluminum alloy products need to strictly remove the oxide film and oil on the surface of the welding joint and welding wire before welding. Chemical cleaning, ultrasonic cleaning, etc. can be used!
2. Backing plate: The strength of aluminum alloy is very low at high temperature, and it will become liquid. The fluidity of liquid aluminum is good, and the weld metal is prone to slump during welding. Backing plates are required to hold the weld pool and adjacent metal in place, ensuring penetration without causing subsidence.
3. Preheating before welding: Aluminum alloy products generally require preheating before welding when the thickness is 10mm to 15mm. According to different types of aluminum alloys, the preheating temperature is different, generally: 100℃～200℃.
4. When welding: the cable of the welding torch should not be too long. In order to prevent impenetrable welding, a small current should be used to fill the pit when the arc is closed.
5 After welding: After welding aluminum alloy products, it is necessary to clean up the residual flux and welding slag left in the weld seam and nearby, otherwise these substances may damage the passivation film on the aluminum surface and sometimes corrode the aluminum alloy products.
