Gas Shielded Arc Welding

To prevent corrosion, the two materials should be stored and processed separately right from the beginning. Likewise, only appropriate tools should be used for each material.

Tools previously used for other materials, e.g. carbon steel, must be cleaned before use with aluminium. Aluminium requires tooling with a larger rake angle, the right grinding wheels and wire brushes with stainless steel bristles.

The physical properties of aluminium and its alloys

Anyone welding aluminium for the frst time, either on its own or in conjunction with steel, should frst of all consider the physical properties of aluminium alloys. Their excellent electrical and thermal conductivity together with the solidifcation range are ideal properties for the welding of this non-ferrous material.