Dear All,
I am relatively new to welding and diving into the deep very quickly. I'm using a 150A MIG welder with Argon Light and my new project is to build a large-ish shed (6x4m x 2.5m) using C-sections as trusses that have been cold-rolled and hot-dip galvanized. The C-sections are around 140x65mm and the steel thickness is around 1.4mm.
My plan was to grid off the zinc and then weld the C-sections using a standard MIG wire (I have all the protective breathing equipment for zinc fumes and will weld outdoors). However! I have been reading a lot on how much easier is to blaze directly on galvanised material using CuSi (Copper-Silicon) wires instead of steel wires. The advantage of blazing on galvanized steel is the lower temperature, thus the zinc does not evaporate and high porosity is avoided. Unlike, welding reaches at temperatures above zinc's boiling point causing holes into the weld.
My concern is strength. Would blazing be strong enough for a structure? I understand a few car companies (mostly European ones) and most bicycles manufacturers use blazing achieving high strength but would I be able to achieve the same strength as welding with my MIG welder? My shed design does not rely significant to the welds strength but they are still important. To makes things more complicated, the blazing wire only comes in large spools (at least here in the UK) that cost a lot so it will be a shame to pay £150+ for something that I will not use. I'd be happy to buy a smaller spool if you can suggest a supplier.
Any advice, suggestions or opinions would be very welcome!
Many thanks,
Andreas
I am relatively new to welding and diving into the deep very quickly. I'm using a 150A MIG welder with Argon Light and my new project is to build a large-ish shed (6x4m x 2.5m) using C-sections as trusses that have been cold-rolled and hot-dip galvanized. The C-sections are around 140x65mm and the steel thickness is around 1.4mm.
My plan was to grid off the zinc and then weld the C-sections using a standard MIG wire (I have all the protective breathing equipment for zinc fumes and will weld outdoors). However! I have been reading a lot on how much easier is to blaze directly on galvanised material using CuSi (Copper-Silicon) wires instead of steel wires. The advantage of blazing on galvanized steel is the lower temperature, thus the zinc does not evaporate and high porosity is avoided. Unlike, welding reaches at temperatures above zinc's boiling point causing holes into the weld.
My concern is strength. Would blazing be strong enough for a structure? I understand a few car companies (mostly European ones) and most bicycles manufacturers use blazing achieving high strength but would I be able to achieve the same strength as welding with my MIG welder? My shed design does not rely significant to the welds strength but they are still important. To makes things more complicated, the blazing wire only comes in large spools (at least here in the UK) that cost a lot so it will be a shame to pay £150+ for something that I will not use. I'd be happy to buy a smaller spool if you can suggest a supplier.
Any advice, suggestions or opinions would be very welcome!
Many thanks,
Andreas
