Aluminum Welding

[ToadJones]

I am need of calling out an aluminum weld in the general notes of a dwg.
The aluminum is 6061-T6 schedule 40 pipe.
What is a proper weld electrode?

 

[metengr]

Are you welding the 6061-T6 to itself or another material?

 

[connectegr]

The electrode will depend on the welding process. Do you really need to specify this in your design. Make sure you design for the reduced strength of the welded aluminum. But, I would leave the WPS to the fabricator.

http://www.FerrellEngineering.com

 

[ToadJones]

Welding aluminum to aluminum
we usually call out the structural steel weld electrode on our structural fab dwgs.
I wanted to include a weld electrode for aluminum handrail fabs.

 

[ToadJones]

the welds for the most part are fillet welds.
some are "seal" welds if that even makes sense.
Connect-
What weld do you call out for coped handrail (coped t-joints) ?

 

[metengr]

Ok. Since this is a heat treatable aluminum alloy the key will be to keep the heat input as low as possible. I would suggest calling out E4043 electrode, using the SMAW process.

 

[ToadJones]

thank you Metengr-
I checked AWS D1.2 and selected E4043...seems E5356 is acceptable as well?
Thoughts?

 

[metengr]

Yes, it is. Final selection all depends on actual service conditions of the fabricated component - temperature and environment. Make sure you qualify a welding procedure.

 

[connectegr]

We always design for the weaker E4043 filler metal. But I do not specify the electrode to the fabricator.

http://www.FerrellEngineering.com

 

[boo1]

6061-T6 aluminum base materials that can be welded successfully with any number of different filler alloys. The filler material is a crittical element to the WPS. Filler alloys 5356, 5554, 4043, and 4047 are commonly used. For higher strength use the 5000 series, for more ductility use 4043. I would use 5356 for the best color match after anodizing.

What variables associated with weld performance are of most importance? Are you reheat treating the pipe after welding?

 

[ToadJones]

this is for a lightweight temporary/removable hand rail.
Literally nothing is being done after fab to improve strength or appearance.

 

[Mr168]

I'd be sure to give them a solid wire alternative, especially if handrail. If someone forced me into fabricating handrail, or just about anything, using SMAW with an aluminum electrode, that's one bid proposal I'd toss promptly in the garbage.

 

[boo1]

The reduction in welded material strength occurs only in the one inch haz area. Consider looking at design guide:

http://www.hollaender.com/files/1/Tech_Data/handraildesign.pdf

Also the Piping System Manual from NAAMM can be found at:

http://www.naamm.org/landing_pages/AMP_521-01.pdf

Check the current code for allowable Stress Increase.