Most people assume that TIG welding anodized aluminum is just like
welding any other aluminum piping. That is absolutely wrong and one of
the big secrets that very few welders know. Anodized aluminum requires
bumping or spot welding! Yeah, that the big secret!
In order to get this type of pipe welded you need to do two passes. The
first pass is spot welded all of the way around with the filler wire
being added. On the second pass you spot weld all the way around but
without the filler wire added this time. The reason for this is anodized aluminium
has a very hard coating that is difficult to melt through. The first
pass will join the two pieces together but not melt the anodized coating
into the weld area thoroughly. Since the coating is not melted properly
the weld will look very rough. The second pass is used to melt the
anodized coating into the weld better and give the weld its smooth
appearance. Finally the weld is painted with weld paint. This is done
because the anodized coating will no longer completely cover the weld
area, so weld paint must finish the job to protect the weld area.
TIG welding anodized aluminum requires three things:
First is an A/C and D/C TIG welder with a high frequency start button on the TIG torch.
Second is a pure tungsten electrode with a tapered ball shaped end.
Aluminum weld paint.
To prepare the tungsten to weld anodized aluminum you need a tapered
ball shaped end. To do this you simply put the tungsten into the TIG
torch. Next turn on your welder and set it to D/C electrode (+)
positive. Finally hit the high frequency start button and strike an arc
on a piece of clean steel or ideally pure copper. Once the arc starts
keep turning up the amperage until the tungsten starts to melt. Finally
when there is a tapered ball end, stop the arc. That's it!
The actual welding is done by spot welding all the way around the pipe.
The first thing you will need to do is set the TIG welder to A/C
alternating current. Typically there will be two passes needed to weld
the pipe. The first is with the filler wire added and the second it to
smooth out the weld. The trick to TIG welding anodized aluminum is to
keep your amperage on the high range and the spot welds should typically
last about one second in time each.
Once the welding is finished all you need to do is paint the welds. That's all there is to TIG welding aluminum extrusion! Once you get going with this type of welding procedure you will be amazed how good the welds look on anodized aluminum piping!
2013年6月18日星期二
Aluminum Anodizing and Its Advantages
Anodizing is not like electroplating and other organic coatings, it is
unique to aluminum. It has greatly extended the applications of aluminum
products and uses after it was developed in early 1930's, where the
metal or else not be utilized. The anodic finish is now available from
aluminum finishing job shops all over the world and is quite
inexpensive.
Anodizing will convert the surface of aluminum to an oxide. Though it would naturally form aluminum oxide on its surface, it will be a very thin film. It offers a thicker oxide coating several times thick if required. The rigidity of this aluminum oxide coating challenges that of diamond. Due to this anodizing improves abrasion resistance. It can also appreciably modify and improve the appearance of aluminum. By the usage of dyes and special procedures, the finisher can make aluminum look like stainless steel, pewter, copper, or brushed bronze. The process will improve corrosion resistance, particularly when the metal surface is in exposure to humid, industrial, and marine atmospheres. The electrical insulating property of the anodic finish finds its application when dielectric properties are significant for electrical components. This type of aluminum is simple to clean and it resists heat to the high temperature where the metal itself melts.
We can define anodizing as an electrochemical conversion process, and not an applied coating. The surface of the metal is converted to aluminum oxide as a result of reactions going on at the anode in an acidic solution. Oxide formation generally gets inward, towards the source of the fresh metal. The first formed oxide will remain in contact with the anodizing solution all through the process cycle; the last formed oxide is at the metal interface. The coating will be nearly 30-50 pct thicker than the original metal it replaces.
Structure of most coatings is predominantly porous. There will be a very slight non-porous barrier film at the interface. Process control starts with the quality of the metal, its precleaning and racking, and finally ends with unracking, possible "clean-up" and final inspection. The job shop finisher or captive department generally has the least control over a very important requirement for good anodizing that is the metal quality. Type of mill product, alloys, worth, temper and so on has significant effects on the appearance, oxide coating property and functional properties like abrasion and corrosion resistance of the end product.
The finisher must know about the metal that is to be treated. Some process changes should be made, and particular quality standards will be difficult to attain other than the proper alloy is being anodized. These can be formed in a range of chemical solutions, though only a handful is in industrial use. The advantage of anodized aluminium is the potential of colored anodizing dye. These dye seeps into the microscopic pores of the anodized layer and colors it. This layer is then sealed and the color appears as part of the metal itself. This can be used for great artistic effect, making aluminum parts with strikingly tasteless colors to ornament your motor bike or, more topically, telescope.
Anodizing will convert the surface of aluminum to an oxide. Though it would naturally form aluminum oxide on its surface, it will be a very thin film. It offers a thicker oxide coating several times thick if required. The rigidity of this aluminum oxide coating challenges that of diamond. Due to this anodizing improves abrasion resistance. It can also appreciably modify and improve the appearance of aluminum. By the usage of dyes and special procedures, the finisher can make aluminum look like stainless steel, pewter, copper, or brushed bronze. The process will improve corrosion resistance, particularly when the metal surface is in exposure to humid, industrial, and marine atmospheres. The electrical insulating property of the anodic finish finds its application when dielectric properties are significant for electrical components. This type of aluminum is simple to clean and it resists heat to the high temperature where the metal itself melts.
We can define anodizing as an electrochemical conversion process, and not an applied coating. The surface of the metal is converted to aluminum oxide as a result of reactions going on at the anode in an acidic solution. Oxide formation generally gets inward, towards the source of the fresh metal. The first formed oxide will remain in contact with the anodizing solution all through the process cycle; the last formed oxide is at the metal interface. The coating will be nearly 30-50 pct thicker than the original metal it replaces.
Structure of most coatings is predominantly porous. There will be a very slight non-porous barrier film at the interface. Process control starts with the quality of the metal, its precleaning and racking, and finally ends with unracking, possible "clean-up" and final inspection. The job shop finisher or captive department generally has the least control over a very important requirement for good anodizing that is the metal quality. Type of mill product, alloys, worth, temper and so on has significant effects on the appearance, oxide coating property and functional properties like abrasion and corrosion resistance of the end product.
The finisher must know about the metal that is to be treated. Some process changes should be made, and particular quality standards will be difficult to attain other than the proper alloy is being anodized. These can be formed in a range of chemical solutions, though only a handful is in industrial use. The advantage of anodized aluminium is the potential of colored anodizing dye. These dye seeps into the microscopic pores of the anodized layer and colors it. This layer is then sealed and the color appears as part of the metal itself. This can be used for great artistic effect, making aluminum parts with strikingly tasteless colors to ornament your motor bike or, more topically, telescope.
订阅：
博文 (Atom)