Thread: Liquid metal in a tube...

...is there such a thing...
Gidday folks.
I have an aluminium pool fence, black powder coated, where a few of the 12mm round loop bars, have broken the weld to the bottom rail, only on the gate where it does get a bit of rough treatment.
Is there such a product as above or do I just try some black sikaflex, and lastly a screw to fix this problem without resorting to re welding/painting.
Cheers

Glenn

Originally Posted by wolften

...is there such a thing...

Mercury. But I don't think that is what you are looking for..

Maybe an aluminum patch lined with some sikaflex riveted into place might be the go?

I have heard mention of Devcon on these forums, but don't know much about it, except that it is described as liquid metal in a can.

Yes there are various epoxies, but I can't see them working for long in that situation. I would use wire. Seriously. If that's too rustic get a pro to weld it.

Selleys make a two pack epoxy in a stick that looks like a candy roll.

You cut off what you want and mix/work it together.

I've used it on motor engines to repair water jackets and inlet manifolds. Sticks to alloy extremely well and goes rock hard with heat/age.

Saves extensive engine pull downs and I've seen it last on a ute thermostat housing over 15 years and still be as good as new when wrecked - it's damn tough stuff.

I did read an article where they recon in remote areas of South America where there is very little access to electricity, two pack epoxy is used extensively in place of welding.

Give it a go.

Two pack Araldite is also very strong, clear, and probably all you need in this situation as no significant heat is involved.

Rob

I have used Devcon and it is good stuff for certain types of work.
But JB Weld is about the strongest stuff I've use.
Available in tiny tubes from just about any hardware store.

I think that if the welds broke, even if they were crappy welds, then you are not going to fix it for very long with liquid metal that 2 part epoxy stuff is good though, but in the right application.
john

Hi

I have used Devcon Alloy to patch a hole in a Yahama XT500 engine case, that held until the bike was sold. Also used it to patch a hole in a light tinny when I blew a bigger hole in the boat trying to mig weld it. It's great stuff, Devcon in a silver packet with green line is for alloy, red is for steel.

Have you got enough meat on the bit that broke to slide a smaller piece in, to rejoin the broken bit together.

DD

Mercury. But I don't think that is what you are looking for..

That would be fun! It will alloy with the aluminium and ruin it. -> Amalgam
Spill some mercury in an aeroplane and wait for the bill ...

Epoxies more or less only are good for patching holes. Excpet the glue joint had been designed for epoxying.


Nick

...many thanks for the suggestions, I think I will try the 2 part epoxy, it sounds like what I need.
...if that fails in the future, a little SS screw should fix it.

Glenn

Uuuuuuuuuum. Its a pool fence Shouldn't it be all proper like to make sure kids don't go in and get themselves drowned.

Originally Posted by wolften

...many thanks for the suggestions, I think I will try the 2 part epoxy, it sounds like what I need.
...if that fails in the future, a little SS screw should fix it.

Glenn

Hello Glenn,

Given that this is a pool fence and gate, I reckon screw fixing would be your safest option. I've used Devcon Liquid Steel and Araldite amongst other epoxies, over the years and whilst they have been perfect in the applications I've used them for, I think that a for a joint that could be exposed to a load in tension, say a kick, they could fail.

In this day and age of stringent pool fencing regulations, it's unbelievable that a fence manufacturer could supply a product that proven inadequate.

Bob.

...thanks all for the input.
As I originally stated that I wanted to know IF something of this nature existed, and the experienced folk would chime in, and others will either knock down or agree with the given suggestions.
I am well aware of the pool fencing laws and regulations for the last 17 years as a responsible pool owner, and as this weld has broken in the last week hence why I asked as I have no knowledge in the metal industry.

In this day and age of stringent pool fencing regulations, it's unbelievable that a fence manufacturer could supply a product that proven inadequate.

Apparently there are shonks in all trades.

I was always aware that if there was no suitable epoxy product, that screw fixing/ welding was my final avenue.
Thanks all.

There is some kneedable epoxy stuff I have seen in Bunnings that is for metal.

I would be going with the screw method at the very least. A thought came to mind of a split HDPE round section pressed into the tube. When a screw is turned into it the split opens slightly clamping it in position. Screw should be stainless I guess but one has to bear in mind the corrosion issue involved with combining stainless and aluminium especially when in contact with chlorine or brine.

Dean