Al Sheet Metal Weldment

Novice welders need to understand that every material demands a different approach.

Al sheet metal weldment.

It s non corrosive lightweight and pleasing to the eye making it an ideal choice of material for a wide variety of welds. However with stronger alloys such as 5083 5183 or 5556 filler metals should be used. All of them are easily welded using 5356 filler metal although 5183 or 5556 should be used for the stronger alloys such as 5083. Aluminum oxide on the surface of the material melts at 3 700 f while the base material aluminum underneath will melt at 1 200 f.

It s also important to select a filler metal that is thinner than the base metal or as close as possible. 6061 t6 aluminum sheet astm b209 qq a 250 11 offers a combination of increased strength corrosion resistance and machinability making it the most widely used aluminum grade. So why is aluminum so difficult to weld. Depending upon the weld type and the size of the sheet you can use either the regular mig welding technique or combine it with the pulsing method to avoid a blow through.

Aluminum is a common type of metal used in fabrication. 5000 series aluminum alloys are readily welded with 5356 filler metal. These are primarily the extrusion alloys although they are available in sheet and plate as well. A family of high strength sheet and plate alloys.

Mill finish not polished. While er70s 2 filler metal is a common choice for steel another popular option for welding sheet metal is silicon bronze. Gas metal arc or metal inert gas welding is the most commonly used welding procedure for metal sheets. Learn the tricks to gas welding aluminum sheet metal with mike from cobra torches.

However the same traits that make aluminum desirable can also make it tricky to work with. Weld and cut in one kit with this torch from eastwood that s made in the. This is a family of high strength sheet and plate alloys. 6000 series aluminum alloys are tricky to weld because they are prone to cracking.

This is due to many factors that came into play. Sheet metal is a lot thinner than other materials that one needs to weld so a completely different approach is needed. To weld aluminum operators must take care to clean the base material and remove any aluminum oxide and hydrocarbon contamination from oils or cutting solvents. 6061 aluminum sheet is ideal for structural framing base plates gussets motorcycle automotive parts etc.