- Thread starter robdxr2
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robdxr2
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Is there a test to see if the welds are good and don't just look good? I hit the open corner firmly with a hammer and it will start to bend flat a bit then it just brakes along the weld I know that it's going to be more brittle than Steel but just want to know that I'm going down the right path for good penetration
This before and after
This before and after
Brad93
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Aluminium isnt usually subjected to the same bend tests as steel, if you done a butt joint in sheet or plate it would be bent with a much larger radius than with steel.
On an outside corner you should be getting good penetration through onto the inside. I will grab a picture later.
On an outside corner you should be getting good penetration through onto the inside. I will grab a picture later.
An old thread showing the back of an outside corner weld on ally that might be useful and also touches briefly on bend testing http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/alu-tig-questions.22605/#post-250236
Granted it's softer/more ductile 1050 ally which makes a difference but http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/media/albums/ally-weld-abuse.743/ shows the sort of abuse a sound butt weld can take
By the looks of things you're offcuts are 5083-h111? While it physically works OK and it doesn't matter when practicing 4043 is the wrong flavour of wire for welding 5083 to itself or most other Al alloys. Even with a perfect weld (no such thing) 4043 would result in poor strength and ductility. While 5183 is a specific wire for welding 5083 any of the 5xxx series wires are usable with 5356 being the common one
Granted it's softer/more ductile 1050 ally which makes a difference but http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/media/albums/ally-weld-abuse.743/ shows the sort of abuse a sound butt weld can take
By the looks of things you're offcuts are 5083-h111? While it physically works OK and it doesn't matter when practicing 4043 is the wrong flavour of wire for welding 5083 to itself or most other Al alloys. Even with a perfect weld (no such thing) 4043 would result in poor strength and ductility. While 5183 is a specific wire for welding 5083 any of the 5xxx series wires are usable with 5356 being the common one
robdxr2
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Cheers for the links don't think I'll be able to bend mine that much I don't know what grade Ali it is, the plate with h111 on is a thick plate I'm using as a heat soak
The bits are 3mm but I'm not showing any penetration on the back what amps do you think I should be using
The bits are 3mm but I'm not showing any penetration on the back what amps do you think I should be using
Richard.
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There is a rough rule of thumb for cold aluminium/argon shield of around 40 amps per 1mm thickness.
Now this is a very rough guide and in many cases doesn't apply.
A particularly small part that will become heat soaked quickly or an outside corner joint or even a joint with a gap or prep may require quite a bit less than that. On the other hand an inside corner (fillet) or a particularly large part that tends to suck the heat away like a sponge might require quite a bit more. It's basically a figure to get you in the ball park but many other factors can mean big changes are needed to that figure.
Now this is a very rough guide and in many cases doesn't apply.
A particularly small part that will become heat soaked quickly or an outside corner joint or even a joint with a gap or prep may require quite a bit less than that. On the other hand an inside corner (fillet) or a particularly large part that tends to suck the heat away like a sponge might require quite a bit more. It's basically a figure to get you in the ball park but many other factors can mean big changes are needed to that figure.
