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Thread: Alum TIG Filler

  1. #1
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    Default Alum TIG Filler

    I have some cracks in unknown aluminium tube to weld up.
    I haven't TIG welded Alum for 30ish years.
    I purchased some ER5356, partly because I remember almost nothing about this sort of thing and party because the guy I buy my TIG stuff from currently has no 4053.
    Given my "some what" lacking experience.
    Is one likely to be better than the other?(or unanswerable given the unknown alloy)
    Is someone with my level of experience going to notice a difference?

    I have heard it said you never know what you are going to get tig welding unknown alum until you light the torch.

  2. #2
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    4043 for extrusions. IIRC it has a higher silicone content.
    5356 for castings (higher magnesium), and the standard 3000-6000 series materials.

  3. #3
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    When I was pulse migging aluminium I was using 5356 for everything, extrusions, castings, plate and pipe material.

    Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

  4. #4
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    A good tip the guys from thisforum have given meis clean the oxide off the job with astainless brush and use stainless steel wool to clean the oxide off the tig filler rods, after this the aluminum will melt like butter

  5. #5
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    Thank you gents,

    I'll get some when they are back in stock.

    I have a pulse TIG, but please don't confuse that with being able to use it.

    Will find something to practice on.

    Bunnings has Acetone and S/S brushes.

    These do to clean the filler?
    https://shop.coles.com.au/a/national...l-scourers-3pk

  6. #6
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    Yes, those will do to clean the filler, although I find that if the filler has been kept away from dust and moisture then usually a wipe with acetone is enough. It's the materials you are joining that need the serious attention.

    As for filler, while certain fillers are better for particular materials, I use 5356 for all the Al welding I do without ill effects. Unless you are doing aerospace work where the metallurgical properties are critical or volumes of parts where the cost of having several types of filler on the shelf is not an imposition, Al filler choice is not life or death where one will work and the other causes serious problems.

    Michael

  7. #7
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    I have to weld a crack in a Bike swingarm (1981 Suzuki RM125X)
    I consulted a number of expert forums.

    Got similar advice to what’s on this thread.
    Basically- difficult to determine what grade of Al it is.
    5356 should do the job. (One guy had experience with it not working on one swingarm - the filler fell out after anodising!!)
    Clean everything.
    Pre heat it a bit.

  8. #8
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    All the stars aligned and I got some "welding" done. 2 inches is really enough to learn much though.
    Its more "blobs melted together" than welds.
    It's 1mm alum, I started at 10A and left it there.

    If nothing else the cleaning seems to have worked.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  9. #9
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    I’ve been practicing.
    Been getting a few “jobs” since Ive been claiming to be able to “weld aluminium”.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Stustoys View Post
    All the stars aligned and I got some "welding" done. 2" inches is really enough to learn much though.
    Its more "blobs melted together" than welds.
    It's 1mm alum, I started at 10A and left it there.

    If nothing else the cleaning seems to have worked.
    Just a flap wheel away from being a real good job Stu.

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