TIG welding 1050 aluminium

[Richard.]

I must admit I don't scrub aluminium unless it really needs it. A lot of the stuff I use it for is to go out as welded and surface scratches would spoil the finish. I personally don't get contamination issues with fresh stock. Aluminium does need to be clean and does produce its own oxide layer but if the stock is new I find the ac process does all the cleaning I need.

 

[HughF]

I must admit I don't scrub aluminium unless it really needs it. A lot of the stuff I use it for is to go out as welded and surface scratches would spoil the finish. I personally don't get contamination issues with fresh stock. Aluminium does need to be clean and does produce its own oxide layer but if the stock is new I find the ac process does all the cleaning I need.

Likewise, I never touch fresh stock, just arc up and go... Castings on the other hand, hot caustic dip now followed by a rinse and then phosphoric acid.

 

[Mid Wales welder]

its a gas problem turbulence pulling in air get an assistant to adjust the flow rate whilst you are welding and see if there is an improvement i would use at least a no 8 ceramic with gas lens preheat to at least 100 c to remove any moisture in joint and check for gas leaks it should run bright and clean,i wouldnt use scotchbrite i would use a new stainless rotary brush or bearing scraper abrasives tend to contaminate the weld pool

ps try another argon bottle i had this problem once it can happen if the empty bottle is left wide open and air gets in before refilling

That's some good advice thanks! I'm not sure about the turbulence though as that same set up worked fine on the same joint but in 6082 material. The material was pre heated to roughly 80 c to get rid of the moisture. I'm going back in a couple of weeks so will see what happens and post back then.