Mode of Metal Transfer for Aluminium Welding

[KVARM]

Shall we do welding on Aluminium 3 mm thick through GMAW (MIG Welding)?

What kind of metal transfer is suitable for such a thin sheet.

Is short circuit mode is applicable for this as per ASME section IX?

Thank & Regards

Sarvan

 

I've never seen short circuit mode used with aluminium. But Section IX does not tell you what is technically appropriate.

Welding procedure development is a lot of "try it and see what happens", to figure out what hundreds of folks before you have done, but is unknown to you. These days there is youtube, so have a look there and also google.

"Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but they are not entitled to their own facts."

 

[kingnero]

3mm is perfectly possible using pulse (spray) transfer.

 

[weldstan]

Ditto kingnero.

 

[gtaw]

Never, or hardly ever use short circuiting on aluminum. You might get away with SC on very thin aluminum. I've used spray transfer on 3 mm in all positions. The alloy was 6061-T6 and we welded with 4043 and 5356 filler metal.


Best regards - Al

 

[weldstan]

Ditto gtaw. All our field GMAW of Al alloys was done using spray arc including down to 3 mm. Most welding was done on 1/8" to 3/8" thicknesses.