What frequency should I weld aluminum?
120 to 200 Hz
Setting the frequency from 120 to 200 Hz provides an ideal frequency for most aluminum welding. An arc cone at 400 Hz is even tighter and more focused; improves arc stability; and is ideal for fillet welds or other fit-ups requiring deep, precise penetration.
What is a good diameter wire thickness for all around welding?
According to charts for thicker material you should use . 035 but most welding shops say . 030 works great on most applications with the millermatic machines.
What polarity do I use when MIG welding aluminum?
electrode positive polarity
What Polarity Setting is Needed? All MIG welding, including on aluminum materials, requires electrode positive polarity, while flux- cored processes typically use electrode negative.
Can I use aluminum wire in my MIG welder?
Aluminum is a tricky metal to weld with a MIG welder because it takes more heat than mild steel (Usually in the range of 21 to 24 volts). That’s why you shouldn’t attempt to weld thin pieces of aluminum. When you’re MIG welding mild steel, you can and should move the MIG gun slow enough to get deep penetration.
What’s the thickness of aluminum for industrial welding?
The thickness of aluminum in industrial welding applications typically ranges from 1/8 inch to 16 gauge, but you may be welding up to 3/8 or 1/2 inch in some cases. Gas and filler metal selection, as well as proper technique, may differ depending on the material thickness and the goals of the application.
How big of a wire do I need to welding aluminum?
In general, it is recommended that you select a wire that is 0.030 inches or 0.035 inches in diameter for welding aluminum. If you search for aluminum MIG wire online, you will find that many of the ER4043 and ER5356 filler metals come in either the 0.030 or 0.035-inch sizes, as is the case with this Hobart ER5356 Aluminum Welding Wire.
How big of a welder do I need to MIG weld aluminum?
Consider material thickness: Material thicknesses of aluminum that can be MIG welded are 14 gauge and heavier; the output capacity of your welder determines the thickness you can weld. To MIG weld aluminum thinner than 14 gauge (.074 inch), it may be necessary to use specialized pulsed MIG or AC TIG welding equipment.
What should the amperage be on a welder?
The settings for Flux-Core wire and non-ferrous metals will be completely different. Metal Thickness & Amperage Settings: When welding mild steel, a good rule of thumb is to set the amperage level at 1 amp for every 0.001” of thickness. So if you are welding 12 gauge mild steel with a thickness of 0.100”, you would set the machine at 100 amps.
