Alloy welding

[atreyu]

I put my first post up the other week introducing myself, I swapped my co2/argon MIG gas today for pure argon so I'm now fully set up to start practicing my TIG-ing

I've not had much time to play around yet, but I'm also trying to weld on the bench stood up (Im currently waiting to pick up a stainless table so I can sit down at a proper table)

Enough of the excuses,

Here's a couple of pictures of my first go at alloy welding (I did a weeks college course 6 weeks ago)

Can anyone tell me a couple of pointers? I notice the weld has a spatter type effect? Also it looks abit dull where I would expect the weld to be cleaner looking? I'm using 4043a rod.

 

[hotrodder]

Dull welds are often a sign of too much heat although poor gas coverage can cause it too. The 'grainy' look is typical of too much heat, specifically with AlSi fillers (like 4043). Some brands of filler seem more prone to grainyness than others, for seem reason it seems to be more common/harder to avoid with the 'harsher' arc of inverters

Next time take the pics before you brush the welds . Can see the remains of 'soot' from a touch down or stuffing the filler into the arc but pics 'as welded' would be reveal more as the etched zone (white 'cleaning' bands) and any soot would be more clearly visible. I'm thinking you may benefit from less %EN (AC balance) from what i can see for example but not sure whether the 'dirty' welds are a result of that or technique (touchdowns etc)

Don't worry too much about non-shiney welds, that'll come with time and be a lot easier to achieve when working with sizable weldments rather than small offcuts. Concentrate on technique/rhythm and practice things like ending welds without leaving craters (taper off the heat slowly with slope down/foot pedal keeping the tungsten moving and/or adding an extra dab of filler) and tie ins- cold restart about an inch in on the bottom bead