Aluminum Gas Welding vs. TIG Welding

Posted: Dec 07, 2010 |Comments: 0 |

Aluminum gas welding can be accomplished with gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) and it can also be used to weld steel, as well as other metals. GTAW is also called tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding. Welding steel is one of the easier jobs when using rig welding, but there are a number of factors, which make it much harder to weld aluminum.

From cleanliness, arc length, machine settings, welding with a dirty tungsten electrode, filler rod angle, type of electrode, torch angle and size of electrode - you have to be extra-careful with all of these factors when you tig weld aluminum.

Here we go over these factors and how you have to be much more careful with aluminum than with steel.

- Make sure that the settings for your machine are correct. Set your machine to use alternating current and the high frequency switch should be at continuous mode otherwise it will make the arc stutter.

- A piece or object of aluminum left outside is likely to be highly oxidized after having come in contact with the elements. That should be weld only after thoroughly cleaning it - otherwise it will burn or weld extremely fast.

- Arc length - it is important to keep the arc at just the correct length. Arc lengths too long or too short, both should be avoided with aluminum. Too short the length, you your metal will jump on your electrode, damaging that and you. Too long a length and the heat will not be pinpointed enough to be of proper use.

- Keep your electrode clean. A dirty electrode will make the weld sooty - taking any fun out of the job you may have been having.

- Do not use pure tungsten electrodes with the new types of tig inverters to weld aluminum. The old types could use them, but not these new ones.

- You should keep the 1/16", 3/32" and 1/8" sized tungsten electrodes within easy reach when working with aluminum. With steel it is one size fits all policy, where you can go with a 3/32" tungsten for most of the jobs. But with aluminum, you need different electrodes depending on the thickness of the aluminum.

Aluminum gas welding just needs to be done with more care than other types of welding. Keep all these factors in mind and you will have your aluminum boat repaired or your ladder fixed in the best possible manner.

Questions and Answers

Ask
200 Characters left
Rate this Article
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1 vote(s)
    Feedback
    Print
    Re-Publish
    Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/aluminum-gas-welding-vs-tig-welding-3803427.html

    Article Tags:

    aluminum arc welding

    ,

    tig welding aluminum

    ,

    how to aluminum weld

    ,

    aluminum welding tips

    Aluminum arc welding has been a very useful asset for many fabricators and do-it-yourself enthusiasts. There are ups and downs to using aluminum arc welding, but it is indispensible if you are welding aluminum.

    By: Preston Manel Computersl Nov 29, 2010

    The average person's impression of how metal is welded is that you simply fire-up a blow torch and run it along the edge of a metal seam to weld it together. Or they probably think you can just run that same torch across any kind of metal and cut through it, like in the safe-cracker movies.

    By: Preston Manel Home and Familyl Mar 04, 2011

    Welding is a difficult job. It is very important to be well prepared before you start welding. Every welder that is being purchased comes with an instructional manual. This manufacturer’s book of precautions should be strictly adhered to.

    By: Sharon Samrajl Business> Industriall Oct 21, 2009
    Oleg Gladshteyn

    When talking about the different types of process in welding technology, MIG welding take an important place because of its wide variety of uses.

    By: Oleg Gladshteynl Business> Salesl Mar 08, 2011

    An experienced arc welder should, at some point in time, embark on his own business rather than be employed eternally. Of course, a welder has to initially gain some useful work experience before venturing out on his own.

    By: Sharon Samrajl Business> Business Ideasl Oct 01, 2009
    March Summers

    International vehicle transports service providers offer facilities for shipping you vehicle across to the new country. These vehicle transport companies have the legal authority, the right infrastructure and a wide network to carry out their operations.

    By: March Summersl Automotivel May 28, 2012

    Shopping for a used car can be like walking on a minefield. Everything looks harmless at first glance, but take one sloppy step and it's the end of the days for both you and what your money's worth.

    By: stellecourneyl Automotivel May 25, 2012

    Looking for a reliable family car can be a very challenging process. You would have to take the car's reliability and features into account while staying within the budget that you have.

    By: stellecourneyl Automotivel May 25, 2012

    If the budget that you've prepared for your car purchase isn't that big, this doesn't mean that you should purchase a brand-new car with undesirable features and performance ratings.

    By: stellecourneyl Automotivel May 25, 2012

    Buy here pay here's preferred by people round the world. It is specially meant for folks belonging towards lower strata of society and so their dream of owning an auto should be fulfilled with the buy here pay here Indianapolis.

    By: Sia Susanl Automotivel May 24, 2012

    It's bad enough to get strange local calls from unknown callers; just imagine getting them from unknown callers from another country. If you've recently had a strange international number showing up on your caller ID, you may be able to trace it to find out where it came from. You can also find out who it belongs to and decide whether or not to call it back.

    By: Preston Manel Home and Familyl May 03, 2011

    If you're looking for a Verizon reverse cell phone lookup service then you need to make sure you read this article. I'm about to show you a few ways to find any cell phone number you need, and if that doesn't work I have a surefire way at the bottom to find any number you're looking for period. Ok let's get started with the tips for now.

    By: Preston Manel Home and Familyl May 03, 2011

    Septic systems are pretty basic in their overal function and construction, but if you know nothing about them even the most basic aspects can seem complicated. This article is designed to explain the basics to you.

    By: Preston Manel Home and Familyl Apr 30, 2011

    If you've got a septic tank, one of the regular maintenance tasks you do (or should be doing) is to keep it clean. Septic systems are largely "set it and forget it" devices, true, but they do still need regular maintenance and you should not forget about yours altogether.

    By: Preston Manel Home and Familyl Apr 30, 2011

    If a company has a large number of customers, but doesn't have the capability to handle calls from those customers, they might contract a call center. These firms help with airline reservations, directory assistance, computer technical help, and other important customer service functions.

    By: Preston Manel Businessl Apr 30, 2011

    Discuss this Article

    Author Box
    Articles Categories
    All Categories
    Quantcast