On Aluminum Tig Welding

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.

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.

In order to clean the aluminum, for better aluminum tig welding results, simply apply a generous amount of either brake/electric cleaner, 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 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.