We're quick to give advise,

[mark williams]

porosity in aluminium fillet welds is an absolute nightmare, my last 6061 fillet test piece failed 4 times purely on porosity levels, had the test pieces acid pickled the same day as welding, bought new rods checked for gas leaks everything could think of we checked, did pass in the end but not exactly sure what I did different in the end to make the difference, which makes it more annoying, When the lab check a 1.6mm tube to plate test piece with 50X magnification there is not much they miss!!

 

[TechnicAl]

Sometimes thats the problem. Labs look for problems. Its in their interest to fail test pieces. There are standards they should work to. I domnt know what standard youre using but maybe 50X magnification isnt the prescribed level.

With Aluminium there will always be porosity. It the amount that varies.

 

[Jim Davey]

I've made a number of these for chaps doing Lloyds approved work on aluminium wind farm boats. Heated consumable cabinets to keep their ally wire warm and dry when not in use.

Gratuitous plug









It's a large, generic cupboard with some very heavy duty shelves I make up,then I wire a light, some heaters with built in thermostats and a breaker to protect all the circuits. Works a treat.

 

[eSCHEn]

I've made a number of these for chaps doing Lloyds approved work on aluminium wind farm boats. Heated consumable cabinets to keep their ally wire warm and dry when not in use.

Gratuitous plug







It's a large, generic cupboard with some very heavy duty shelves I make up,then I wire a light, some heaters with built in thermostats and a breaker to protect all the circuits. Works a treat.

Nice job Jim, very professional looking.

 

[Jim Davey]

Thanks, i don't enjoy making them as they are a pain to move around by myself but they are do a decent job. I do an insulated one too but that's a lot more work and hence nearly twice the money.

 

[TechnicAl]

Looks a good job Jim. There are many that dont realise bare Ally wire can become "wet".
Just a point of caution..........if its already "wet" it probably wont "dry"
So it should be tested before its stored.............a bead on plate would suffice.......grind off the surface and if its clear etc etc
You know what I mean

 

[Jim Davey]

Their workshop is unheated so as a precaution against dew forming on the wire at night they take the spools off and put them in the cupboard.
At least that's what they tell me

 

[Liquid Metal]

The surface of Ally forms an Oxide in the normal atmosphere. This oxide is hydroscopic....sucks moisture from the atmosphere.

Knew about the surface oxides on Ally, how they form in seconds, no need for moisture (like oxides on steel) the need for it to be removed hence the DC+ half cycle, and the rate at which ally will conduct heat away from a weld, welding like a pig until the part warms up sufficiently.

But

That about Aluminium Oxide being Hydroscopic, ie i guess you mean in the same way as the flux on Low Hydrogen MMA rods like 7015, 7016 and 7018??........... well thats news to me, i guess you learn something new every day, but that one is a good one to remember. Cheers :thumbs up:

 

[Richard.]

I've made a number of these for chaps doing Lloyds approved work on aluminium wind farm boats. Heated consumable cabinets to keep their ally wire warm and dry when not in use.

Gratuitous plug









It's a large, generic cupboard with some very heavy duty shelves I make up,then I wire a light, some heaters with built in thermostats and a breaker to protect all the circuits. Works a treat.

These are really nice Jim. Worth there weight in gold to companies keeping consumables to hand.