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About Aluminum Tig Welding

Tips on aluminum tig welding: Aluminum is a low density metallic substance used in a wide range of different appliances and fields. Having such a low density is not the only attractive feature of aluminum, it excels at conducting both electricity and heat, as a result of this, it is frequently encountered in power generators, the conduction of heat prevents from such appliances (which by their very nature generate huge amounts heat) will prevent the wiring from melting.

Highly Recommended: Advanced Tig Welding.
Covers aluminum tig welding and many other advanced techniques.

It is when aluminum is combined with other metals, to form alloys that its true potential is finally reached, due to the naturally high resistance of aluminum to the rusting process this means that it is often considered as an ingredient for any alloy.

So, if you have been enchanted and bedazzled by the wonders of aluminum tig welding and are keen to weld, what actual equipment will you need?

Well, a common standard piece of kit for novices and experts alike is a Tungsten Inert Gas welder (TIG) which is by far the most effective method of tig welding aluminum.See photo to the left (courtesy of our sister site Custom-Choppers-Guide.com).

There are other methods of welding aluminum, and given the astronomically high cost for even the most rudimentary TIG welder you maybe tempted to use these other methods as well. The TIG guarantees results, is safe, easy to use and is a highly effective welding tool. Make sure you use argon gas (which is totally inert) and remember, you cant use your gas tank for your MIG welder for use in TIG welder, all you will get is scorched metal and a lot of wasted materials. Not good.

For the passing amateur it may seem like an extravagant luxury. To those who are seriously considering welding either as a long term hobby and or business venture, then a TIG welder is a must. One of the major advantages to a TIG welder is higher amperage which allows for greater thickness of metal to be welded, amongst other advantages relating to the purity of the metal, cleaning etc.

Aluminum tig welding side bar: Before you begin to even tig weld aluminum, and this is a tip I cannot overestimate the value of, please, please PLEASE clean the aluminum before welding. Be on the look out for surface tension on the face of the metal, this is a definite guarantee that your material is dirty. When aluminum is not cleaned, oxygen interacts with the metal to aluminum oxide, which acts as a sort of protective skin, much like the skin of a balloon.

When aluminum tig welding, the three "C" method is advised, Clean, Clean Clean! In addition to a good tight fitup, the surface should be clean and the oxide layer removed. The oxide layer can be removed with a stainless steel brush that is dedicated to ONLY use on aluminum. Using the Stainless brush on ferrous metal will pick up ferrous molecules and only serve to contaminate the aluminum surface. After the joint has been brushed with a SS brush, then it should be wiped down with Acetone. If Acetone isn't available, lacquer thinner may be used, but it will leave a slight residue. Acetone is readily available at any good hardware store, ACE, HOME DEPOT, LOWES Etc.

After you clean, rinse the aluminum in water to remove any excess of the cleaner and then scrub the metal vigorously with a stainless steel brush or pad.

Make sure to preheat the material prior to aluminum tig welding, this makes the aluminum much more malleable, and easier to shape and form. Remember, whilst to start tig welding aluminum you will require larger amounts of heat, most of this heat will then channeled to the surrounding base metal.

NEVER USE BRAKE CLEANER or any CHLORINATED CLEANER for cleaning metal that is to be welded. It's just a good safety tip and could save a lot of pain and grief.

The three "C" method above were provided by hre.