Most welders believe that aluminum is a difficult type of metal to weld compared to steel. That is the reason why most of them prefer to start out by learning to weld steel before moving on to aluminum. Unlike what other people know, welding aluminum is difficult because it simply uses a different method. For welders, it is important to understand these differences in order to achieve a good weld.
To give you an overview, here is a quick comparison between welding aluminum and welding steel. Learn more about how they differ from each other.
Aluminum and steel are two most popular materials used in welding. Each material has a distinct set of characteristics that makes it the right or wrong material for a specific job.
To have a good aluminum and steel weld, it is important to know about the metal’s chemistry, reduction of hydrocarbons and appropriate technique for the material. For example, the melting point of aluminum is 1,221 degrees Fahrenheit while for steel is 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit.
Furthermore, aluminium has an oxide layer that melts at nearly 3,700 degrees. This helps the aluminum to be corrosion and abrasion-resistant. Aside from that, it acts as an insulator where issues may arise.
When it comes to aluminum, its strength tends to increase as service temperature decreases. While steel, on the other hand, becomes more brittle as service temperature decreases.
When it comes to welding aluminum, pre-treatment is critical. This is because aluminum can readily combine with hydrogen. Thus, it must be gradually raised to ambient temperature if it was stored in a cooler space. Aside from that, the aluminum should be cleaned with non-chlorinated solvents to remove the oxides.
On the other hand, mild and low-carbon steel is simple to work on. It does not need any specific pre-treatment method. But with high-carbon steel, heat-treatment is needed after welding. It is also more difficult to handle.
Metal inert gas welding is the most common welding technique used for both aluminum and steel. For aluminum, argon should be used as your shielding gas. While for steel, argon mixed with carbon dioxide should be utilised.
There are a lot of welding techniques that will work well on steel but not with aluminum. For instance, using oxy-acetylene torch welding may not work well with aluminum. This is because the metal can absorb hydrogen gas which leads to faults in the weld.
Welding requires utmost precision to ensure that there is a strong bond between the two objects. When welding aluminum and steel, it is important to prepare your materials first. Aside from that, it is also a must to wear proper protective equipment before you start.
When it comes to aluminum, there are some special procedures that must be followed to have a successful weld. Here are some steps on how to weld aluminum.
Welding steel has a quite simple process compared to welding aluminum. Here is the basic procedure for welding steel.
To achieve a satisfactory weld, it is crucial to understand the different characteristics, properties, etc. of each metal. This is for you to know what welding techniques and pre-treatment procedures they require. Aluminum and steel are two different metals to weld. So it is important to have your research before using these materials.
If you want further assistance when it comes to welding your aluminium or steel, make sure to approach your trusted local metal fabrication experts.