Hello, I have an engine mount made from billet 6061 T6 that I may need to cut and weld. Any recommendations on what filler rod should be used, I understand it can crack quite easily?
Shouldn't crack if you weld it properly. You will lose the properties afforded by it being T6 temper. This means a loss of strength of up to 40% in the heat affected zone unless you have it treated/aged after welding.
4043 is the recommended filler. 5356 is required if you're planning on anodising the part.
you get higher strength from the 5000 series filler, but it is more susceptible to cracking.
The thing is if it breaks it will break in the haz not the weld
Are you going to be tig welding it or MIG welding it? Welded aluminium parts need to be well designed if they are to be subject to cyclic loading and vibrations or they can crack quite rapidly.
Tig welding, although at this rate I may just try working around the problem and modify the car rather than the mount (easier to work with steel ) thanks again for your help.