When welding a typical inlet manifold in aluminium are there any tips for minimising the deformation of the flange?
Currently I fasten the flange down to a thick alu plate and leave to naturally cool after welding. This does work well with only a small amount of distortion. Just wondered if I could get it any better? Any cooling techniques? Wondered about cooling the heat-sink plate first - would this help to contract the opposite side of the flange to the welds?
I guess the same goes for stainless/mild exhaust manifolds - have had good success with stainless flanges, using oxy to reheat the opposite side quickly, then cool but it seems long-winded.
Currently I fasten the flange down to a thick alu plate and leave to naturally cool after welding. This does work well with only a small amount of distortion. Just wondered if I could get it any better? Any cooling techniques? Wondered about cooling the heat-sink plate first - would this help to contract the opposite side of the flange to the welds?
I guess the same goes for stainless/mild exhaust manifolds - have had good success with stainless flanges, using oxy to reheat the opposite side quickly, then cool but it seems long-winded.