Procedure for MIG Welding Aluminum

Mig Welder

Among vast diverse universe of metals, aluminum is the one which enjoys its position in welding after iron. Basic chemistry suggests us that aluminum is a reactive metal and will form oxide when exposed to air. This leads us change of process used for welding of aluminum. This metal has another property in which it catches fire when mixed with steel while cutting. The typical property of low melting and boiling point of aluminum makes welding of it different and difficult from the welding of steel. The very first and basic step of welding aluminum is cleaning of metal surface which will lead to smoother welding.

The procedure of welding by TIG welder is simple and requires no extra effort as it is used for small areas or metal surface of very less thickness. However in case of MIG welder there are some precautions to be taken as cracks appear in the target area after welding. An easy and useful technique for MIG welding of aluminum is the use of a heat sink and probably a ‘brass’ heat sink is one of the best. In case of plasma cutter where computer welds the metal, there is no such BIG problem as it generally versatile and because plasma cutter is used at industrial level so level of complexity increases and moreover aluminum is not used as pure metal but rather used as alloy so these factors make the welding easy.

Since our main focus on this article is on MIG welding so we would be discussing it in detail. The process of MIG welding requires a shielding gas and as already mentioned above that aluminum makes a layer of oxides over its surface, so the choice of shielding gas is important and an expert welder would preferably choose 100% argon as a shielding gas because of its inertness. Choice of electrode is also important as steel electrode would not give us the desired results. The choice is to be set according to the perimeters of welding. This leads us to choosing filler for welding. The best option in case of aluminum welding is of aluminum alloy filler. Beside the apparatus, proper setting of flame, its exposure to the target surface is also a point which should not be ignored when dealing with aluminum. Last but not the least precision, accuracy and experience are keys to success.

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Functions and Advantages of Plasma Cutter

About Plasma Cutter

Plasma cutters are becoming the standard in metal shops for cutting metal. They excel at cutting up to 1 inch thick pieces of steel or non-ferrous metal. Plasma cutters reduce shop time and make the task much easier than manual cutting. They are fast and clean, and allow delicate precision cuts in places standard hacksaw or hole saw couldn’t fit. They are simple to set up and learn to operate. They generate less mess and are safer than hand tools. Most small shops are beginning to purchase them for the labor savings alone.

Plasma cutters work by heating up the metal and a jet of ionized air punches through the heated material creating very clean, sharp lines. It melts the material your cutting and blows it away. Hacksaws and hole saws create waste, and rarely as clean of a line as plasma. Moreover there is no manual labor involved. You point the trigger at what you want to cut, push a button, and the incision is made. Previously the only way you could get such precision was through oxy fuel and laser profiling, and these options were typically too much of an investment for most shops. Plasma cutters are going down in price everyday, and are becoming more precise and technologically advanced, allowed users to make complex cuts that were unheard of until recently.

Some functions of a plasma cutter include use on bumpers, cab interiors, exteriors, and exhaust systems. Due to their small size, they are more convenient than most hand tools, and far more accurate as well. If you have ever tried using a hacksaw on an exhaust pipe, flat on your back, beneath your car, you know just exactly how handy a plasma cutter could be. They take up the same amount of space as a blowtorch, and can be used one handed if the workspace is cramped or tight. Power supply and speed comes into play here, so make sure that you select one that fits your needs.

Though they are a bit of an initial investment, many shops are finding that the time and labor saved in owning one makes them basically pay for themselves. Combined with a fairly easy learning curve, they are becoming the choice amongst small to medium shops. Though there is a great deal of electricity and ionized air transference, they are considered generally safer than hand tools. When searching for one make sure to research the different makers. Not all plasma torches are created equal, and some have specialized features that you may or may not need. Things to keep in mind are speed, power supply, duty cycle, weight and cost.

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