Welding is a practice that is so intrinsic in the modern construction industry that it would literally collapse without it. Through the decades that the technology has been widely available, methods and techniques have undergone many refinements. For example, there are aluminium welding best practices that can make the difference between quality work and a hot mess.
To that end, it would be worth looking into the main points to remember when welding aluminium pieces to make sure that you get the best results. Knowing what to watch out for and how to avoid common mistakes can save you a lot of grief.
Safety is also a major concern in aluminium welding services. There are dangers inherent to welding or any practice that involves high-voltage machinery. The more you know how to keep yourself safe the more you get out of the whole arrangement.
Overview of Aluminium Welding
Considering just how staggeringly versatile aluminium is, it’s no wonder that it is one of the most widely used materials for welding in the world. It can come in all shapes, sizes, thickness, composition, and combinations. This then makes it perfect for a multitude of industries, mainly:
- Aerospace
- Automotive
- Shipping
- Manufacturing
- Chemicals
- Transportation
All of those fields and more require aluminium to be welded in one form or another. For this to be done safely, it’s important to keep a few things in mind.
Risk Factors with Aluminium Welding
There are a few risk factors that can be attributed to aluminium welding in Perth. These would then present a challenge during the practice that could have an effect, either on the results or the experience of the welder. Check out the following for some of the most common ones:
- Oxidation – Aluminium oxidises easily, which creates a barrier that the welding torch will need to punch through. To counter this problem, there are solutions that can be applied to the surface of the aluminium ahead of time for easier welding.
- Porousness – If the surface of the aluminium is not clean, it can lead to porosity, which could then weaken the structural integrity of welded materials. As such, it’s important to make sure that the aluminium is completely clean and free of moisture before starting the welding.
- Thickness – Much like other types of materials, aluminium items can vary in thickness. This is something that welders need to keep in mind if they want to get enough penetration to maximise the bonding without going too far and weakening it instead. The grade of the aluminium will also need to be noted due to their differing melting points.
- Impurities – Oil, dirt, grime, chemicals, dust, paint, and many other types of impurities are major problems in aluminium welding. This is why correct storage practices are so important. In many cases, materials can be left unused due to how pervasive the impurities have become and the difficulty of removing them. Using them in such conditions would not be advised due to the risk they would pose on the structural integrity of the welding.
- Thermal conductivity – Aluminium is really good at absorbing and then dissipating heat. This makes it excellent for conducting energy such as the case with cooking, for example. However, this property also makes it a challenge for welding where the need to build enough energy in a single spot to actually melt it for bonding is the whole point. As such, the setting for the welding machine needs to be adjusted accordingly.
- Hot cracking – One of the issues that need a lot of attention when aluminium welding in Perth is the possibility of applying too much heat to any given section of the material. This would then put too much stress on it, thus causing it to crack. Thanks to advancements in alloy combination, this is no longer as big of an issue as it used to be. However, welders still need to keep an eye on it.
With enough experience and practice, avoiding or taking those risk factors into account every time you weld becomes as natural as breathing. For now, it’s best to simply list them in your head before beginning any project every time as a mental checklist of what to avoid.
Best Practices for Aluminium Welding
Continuing with the theme of practices that you will want to stick to when aluminium welding, here are a few more points to keep in mind when starting projects. These are meant to address, not only your safety and that of others but also to help you achieve the best results:
- Safety Gear – Not only should you already have all of the equipment necessary to keep you safe when aluminium welding but you should also ensure the quality and functionality of said equipment. They need to be in good condition. No holes, cracks, warping, or tears.
- Attention to detail – Aluminium welding services are all about precision and taking even the smallest things into account. Always pay attention to even the smallest of details that could compromise the integrity of the weld.
- Take your time – When welding, the worst thing you could do is to rush the job. Be patient. Getting good at it takes time even when not factoring in the chemical reactions taking place that you also need to wait for. Focus on getting the job done right first before getting the job done fast.
- Space and storage – Where you work and where you store your equipment will affect the quality of your results when aluminium welding in Perth. Preventing dust, grime, oil, rust, and all kinds of nasty things from ruining your materials and equipment is a major part of the job.
