May Get Flamed.......But Here Goes !!!

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A few months back I put up some photos of some TIG welding I did on an aluminum handrail from a pontoon boat. At this point in time I had only been TIG welding aluminum for a few weeks. One poster gave me a D+ even though I am largely self taught and had only been welding aluminum for a few weeks. This poster stated that the way the weld was done it took the hardness out of the aluminum. Any truth to there being any form of hardness on a boat handrail ???
Reply:Originally Posted by rahtreelimbsA few months back I put up some photos of some TIG welding I did on an aluminum handrail from a pontoon boat. At this point in time I had only been TIG welding aluminum for a few weeks. One poster gave me a D+ even though I am largely self taught and had only been welding aluminum for a few weeks. This poster stated that the way the weld was done it took the hardness out of the aluminum. Any truth to there being any form of hardness on a boat handrail ???
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterI think the term is "Hard Coat Annodized"..Aluminum is not hard at all....zap!
Reply:one good thing about aluminum is that it work hardens quite rapidly so you build a hand rail and with in days after you install it it is at least a third harder than it was when you bent it. You realy notice it when you run a large hydraulic roll former. sometimes 1/4 inch sheet stock will start cracking about the third try to get it right. or if you are spinning aluminum domes you quite often have to anneal a couple three times before you are done. Mac
Reply:6000 series aluminum alloys are typically heat treated for strength.  When you weld the alloy the welding heat softens the area or reduces the strength.  It is unusual for aluminum weld metal as welded to match the strength of the alloy.  Typically the weld is not as strong.  The larger the heat affected zone the greater the softening or reduction in strength.  Actually we are talking a reduction in strength rather than softening.
Reply:6061-t6 drops to about 24k in the as welded condition, like you said its a handrail, perhaps the ductility is a blessing, I would worry about the Al302, instead of the tempering in the handrail.I forgot how to change this.
Reply:What is Al302 ???
Reply:Originally Posted by rahtreelimbsWhat is Al302 ???
Reply:HAHAHAHAHA, But in all honesty Its called Aluminum oxide.I forgot how to change this.
Reply:Originally Posted by lawsonweldingllchahahahaha, but in all honesty its called aluminum oxide.
Reply:Here is a good link for aluminum:http://aluminium.matter.org.uk/aluse...16&term=marine-IanMiller Dynasty 350Miller XMT 304
Reply:Originally Posted by BlauSchuhis it so hard to do a Google searchhttp://www.applegate.co.uk/listings/...2-1660750.html