Filler rod for TIG welding Aluminum 2011?

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Hi!What filler rod is better for welding Aluminum 2011? 4043 or 5356 (that`s what I can get in my local store)?Welded piece will be anodiezed after!Thanx
Reply:2011 Al is not classed as a weldable alloy, it's a high strength leaded, free machining alloy. google '2011 aluminium properties' for more infoFWIW 4043 turns a manky grey colour when anodised, filler choice for weldments that'll be andoised depend on the base alloy (for best colour match) but don't include any of the 4xxx series wires
Reply:Originally Posted by hotrodder2011 Al is not classed as a weldable alloy, it's a high strength leaded, free machining alloy. google '2011 aluminium properties' for more infoFWIW 4043 turns a manky grey colour when anodised, filler choice for weldments that'll be andoised depend on the base alloy (for best colour match) but don't include any of the 4xxx series wires
Reply:I know that is generally considered not weldable alloy, but I can`t get any other alloy with that strenght (6061, 7005 or 7075). I see now that I haven`t put the question correctly, sorry about that. I was wondering does anyone have experiance welding that alloy? Is it impossible or just tricky to welded? Or that weld will not be that good?Anyway, thanks for the answers in such short time.Greetings from Croatia!
Reply:IF strength is a big concern, welding a material considered not weldable does not sound like a very good plan.My name's not Jim....
Reply:Originally Posted by GRBOI know that is generally considered not weldable alloy, but I can`t get any other alloy with that strenght (6061, 7005 or 7075). I see now that I haven`t put the question correctly, sorry about that. I was wondering does anyone have experiance welding that alloy? Is it impossible or just tricky to welded? Or that weld will not be that good?Anyway, thanks for the answers in such short time.Greetings from Croatia!
Reply:Generally speaking, Lead(Pb) alloyed 'free-machining' grades of any metal make poor candidates for welding.  The Pb in these materials has little or no solubility, it doesn't dissolve into the matrix.  Rather it forms pockets of almost pure Pb, which serve as a solid lubricant during machining operations.  It smears over the surface and melts to reduce friction during machining.  Cold working distributes these Pb inclusions in small pockets, evenly throughout the material.  This minimizes their effect on the overall mechanical properties of the material.These same characteristics make it a poor choice for fusion welding.  Pb melts at about 550°F, while in this case, the surrounding aluminum melts at about 1200°F.   The Pb is the first thing to melt and the last thing to freeze in the puddle. This leads to the formation of even larger pockets or inclusions of free Pb, as the Pb migrates to the last place in the weld area to solidify.  So in addition to the destruction of all the strength derived from cold working the alloy, the Pb will tend to form "big" puddles in the weld and HAZ.  None of this is good for the mechanical properties of the weld and surrounding base metal.Makoman says these 2000 series alloys appear to weld OK.  I'll defer to his experience.  What I know suggests that free-machining alloys (aluminum or steel) would tend to have problems with hot-cracking, right down the centerline of the weld....I agree with Makoman, find a different alloy or a different method of joining your pieces together.Benson's Mobile Welding - Dayton, OH metro area - AWS Certified Welding Inspector
Reply:Thank you all for helping me. I guess I`ll have to try with an other alloy instead. What I am trying to make is a lower link for full suspension bicycle frame. Should look something like this!I`ll keep you post it with final result and solution!Thanks again!
Reply:Originally Posted by A_DAB_will_doGenerally speaking, Lead(Pb) alloyed 'free-machining' grades of any metal make poor candidates for welding.  The Pb in these materials has little or no solubility, it doesn't dissolve into the matrix.  Rather it forms pockets of almost pure Pb, which serve as a solid lubricant during machining operations.  It smears over the surface and melts to reduce friction during machining.  Cold working distributes these Pb inclusions in small pockets, evenly throughout the material.  This minimizes their effect on the overall mechanical properties of the material.These same characteristics make it a poor choice for fusion welding.  Pb melts at about 550°F, while in this case, the surrounding aluminum melts at about 1200°F.   The Pb is the first thing to melt and the last thing to freeze in the puddle. This leads to the formation of even larger pockets or inclusions of free Pb, as the Pb migrates to the last place in the weld area to solidify.  So in addition to the destruction of all the strength derived from cold working the alloy, the Pb will tend to form "big" puddles in the weld and HAZ.  None of this is good for the mechanical properties of the weld and surrounding base metal.Makoman says these 2000 series alloys appear to weld OK.  I'll defer to his experience.  What I know suggests that free-machining alloys (aluminum or steel) would tend to have problems with hot-cracking, right down the centerline of the weld....I agree with Makoman, find a different alloy or a different method of joining your pieces together.
Reply:Thanks for the clarification.  I don't have any direct experience with 2XXX series aluminum.  1XXXX, 5XXXX, and 6XXXX yes, but not 2XXX series aluminum.   I should have checked a reference before opening my mouth.  But, I have worked around free machining leaded steel alloys and free-machining stainlesses(which are high sulfur, not pb-bearing alloys).I think the underlying principle is still sound.  Segragation of the Pb in the alloy during weld cooling and solidification would still tend to cause the Pb phase to form larger 'pockets', that are concentrated along the centerline of the weld; the last place to freeze.  Maybe another metallurgist will confirm or deny my guesses....Titanium would be awesome for high performance bicycle parts.  But you better have deep pockets.     Originally Posted by makoman1860Oops poor choice of wording on my part, I meant to imply that in general the 2xxx series are easy to weld from the welders perspective, not 2011 in specific for the reasons you mentioned. 2024 was gas welded in past years, but always non structural. Oh and 2xxx series are heat treated not "worked" , hence the T temper designation and not H. Even if the part was made from 2024, weded with 4145 filler, and re-heat treated, it still doesnt solve the micro-cracking that welding can induce. Probably why for all the years it was called "non-weldable" That part looks like a good candidate for Ti