Aluminum manufacturing in a copper enviroment

[Jaydubblazer]

We are working on some prototype pieces that involve machining and brazing on aluminum. This process is going to use some older equipment that was once used to manufacture copper and bronze parts. Additionally there is steel welding and copper fabrication going on in the vacinity.

The concern is how clean does the old equipment need to be to avoid corrosion? Can we cut pieces of aluminum and copper on the same equipment and not worry about corrosion if noble metals come inconatct with the aluminum? Some of the aluminum is cosmetic but other parts are intergal to the design and system failure could occur if enough corrision took place and removed 0.100" of material.

I know that is a bit vague, but how clean is clean when it comes to aluminum fabrication with other metals in the area?

Thanks,

John

 

[tbuelna]

The aluminum brazing might be affected by surface contamination from ferrous materials. But it is standard practice to chemically etch or mechanically abrade the aluminum surfaces prior to brazing to remove oxidation.

When it comes to a definition of "clean", that would depend on what your customer requires, or any QA standards your production process is subject to.