Okay - not to sound like a complete freak, but can aluminum be welded? Or can you only weld steel?????
Just curious!!!
Just curious!!!
Aluminum??
- Thread starter HowardHughes
- Start date
Not exactly - but close 
Came up with an idea this morning, and I want to see if it can be done!
Keep ya posted.
Came up with an idea this morning, and I want to see if it can be done!
Keep ya posted.
I'm not building a bike - but the integrity of the welds have to hold up to quite a bit of stress. I called another friend of mine, and he said that aluminum can in fact be welded - just the same as steel.
Yes you can weld aluminum, and very well in a process called "TIG" welding. The process is like brazing with an electric arc. It is a REAL skill to do it properly though! but it has the best quality welds
There are a couple other ways to do it, and some variables to consider, but for high strength "TIG" is your best bet.
You do need the right machine, get someone who knows how to do it, and it will probly cost you. but then what does Howard Hughs care about spending money?lol
There are a couple other ways to do it, and some variables to consider, but for high strength "TIG" is your best bet.
You do need the right machine, get someone who knows how to do it, and it will probly cost you. but then what does Howard Hughs care about spending money?lol
I had a Rocky Mountain with a Al+3 frame. And I have a good friend who has a welders certificate to weld it too. So, yes it can be welded.
I may have to drop you a line about that then - I also have a friend with a shop in Hamilton that might do it for me as well.
Aluminum can be ARC, MIG and TIG welded
None of the processes are dificult if you have the experience.
ARC while considered the least desirible can give a great finish when done by a pro. As can MIG or TIG
Your choice on the process but if you want to learn I suggest MIG.
None of the processes are dificult if you have the experience.
ARC while considered the least desirible can give a great finish when done by a pro. As can MIG or TIG
Your choice on the process but if you want to learn I suggest MIG.
Aluminum is welded with an inert gas shield, to prevent its rather rapid oxidation kinetics. That is what the IG stands for ...
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WhOiSyOdAdDy?
Yes it can be done. When I was a teenager (13/14'ish) my buddy had one of those goal nets with the aluminum frame. It kept on breaking, so I hauled it into my father's shop (he was a welder) and reinforced it with bronze rod and a gas torch. Ha! The corners were a ball of melted aluminum and bronze.
When I told my old man what I did he couldn't believe it and went out to see for himself. He just laughed at the fact that I was able to do it.
To this day that old fucking net is probably still welded together.
When I told my old man what I did he couldn't believe it and went out to see for himself. He just laughed at the fact that I was able to do it.
To this day that old fucking net is probably still welded together.
Welding aluminum is tricky...watch the alloy of aluminum used (some cannot be welded at all). Distortion and quality (strength) are the issues to watch, but experienced guys can do a great job. Some of the alloys can be given a finish similar to chrome, but actual chrome cannot be applied in anything approaching an economical, quality manner. Usual alternates are anodizing or alodining for appearance/corrosion protection reasons.
I don't care so much for how it looks, but rather how strong the welds are - and the lighter the aluminum alloy, the better!!!!
Thanks!
Thanks!
I worked for 10 years in an aluminum foundry.
We would weld surfaces as thin as 1/32 of an inch. This is done with the use of chills. And you can use a DC REVERSE welder for high strength and low porosity welds.
MIG welding is easier to control the porosity with and is almost as strong.
TIG is the cleanest but most difficult and costly process.
If you are welding TUBES MIG would be my choice of equiptment. Better control, less blow thru and chills should be not necessary.
If you wish to do this yourself don't get talked into gasless wire. You will have a hell of a time with the heat and porosity. The Gas shiled helps more then most realize on thin surfaces. AND damned near eliminates the porosity.
Penitration is the key to strength. Do destructive testing on a test weld. Using a hammer break the weld with a hammer. If you have done it correctly the metal will break before the weld. BUT watch the heat on thin metals.
We would weld surfaces as thin as 1/32 of an inch. This is done with the use of chills. And you can use a DC REVERSE welder for high strength and low porosity welds.
MIG welding is easier to control the porosity with and is almost as strong.
TIG is the cleanest but most difficult and costly process.
If you are welding TUBES MIG would be my choice of equiptment. Better control, less blow thru and chills should be not necessary.
If you wish to do this yourself don't get talked into gasless wire. You will have a hell of a time with the heat and porosity. The Gas shiled helps more then most realize on thin surfaces. AND damned near eliminates the porosity.
Penitration is the key to strength. Do destructive testing on a test weld. Using a hammer break the weld with a hammer. If you have done it correctly the metal will break before the weld. BUT watch the heat on thin metals.
Strength
Remember that the fatique strength of the weld can be very much lower than the base metal. Porosity must be controlled very carefully.
Remember that the fatique strength of the weld can be very much lower than the base metal. Porosity must be controlled very carefully.
Re: Question....
I'm not sure why you can't chrome aluminum parts, but you CAN get them polished and then Bright Anodized. It's very close to chrome, as it does provide a mirror-like finish.
If the aluminum you're working with needs to be welded, you'll have to inform the welder that you intend to anodize it, so that they will use the proper rods and such.
Although, I've yet to see a welded piece of aluminum that, after anodizing anything other than black, you can't see the welds. They're pretty much always visible.
MsKiss said:
I'm not sure why you can't chrome aluminum parts, but you CAN get them polished and then Bright Anodized. It's very close to chrome, as it does provide a mirror-like finish.
If the aluminum you're working with needs to be welded, you'll have to inform the welder that you intend to anodize it, so that they will use the proper rods and such.
Although, I've yet to see a welded piece of aluminum that, after anodizing anything other than black, you can't see the welds. They're pretty much always visible.
