Peening Aluminium

admin

Has anyone ever peened an Aluminium weld to relieve stress?I've never heard of it myself , would it achieve anything on Aluminium ?My initial impression is no, but I'm open to input from the more knowledgeable here.We need to weld up 17 beams out of 200x50 box section (8mm wall) they have 160x 10mm bottom flanges welded to the bottom for the full length and some other assorted fittings .They are for some very large external ally louvers .A good guess is better than a bad measurement
Reply:Never heard of anyone doing it. I used to weld a lot of AL and never had to.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:X2I've peened connecting rods but never Aluminum.....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:We shot peen forged pistons (2618).
Reply:Originally Posted by BrettHas anyone ever peened an Aluminium weld to relieve stress?I've never heard of it myself , would it achieve anything on Aluminium ?My initial impression is no, but I'm open to input from the more knowledgeable here.We need to weld up 17 beams out of 200x50 box section (8mm wall) they have 160x 10mm bottom flanges welded to the bottom for the full length and some other assorted fittings .They are for some very large external ally louvers .
Reply:When I hear peening of aluminum, all I hear is work hardening which isn't really a good thing.
Reply:Originally Posted by dave powelson1-pics or a drawing would help the rest of us visualize what you're talking about, mate.2-Since you're describing welding a flange along the entire length of the beam, is what you're really asking about is controlling significant distortion of the beam from welding this continuous welding of the flange????3-If my guess is correct, then peening won't buy you zip. 4-planned placement of the welds, relative to the sides of the box beam will help--some; if that's possible, within the design.5-the ultimate way to manage this weld-induced distortion, is to pre-stress the beam,prior to sequential tacking and welding this flange. Myself and others, here can provide you with at least a general idea of how to do this. Prepare to do some r & d, and make some scrap parts.      In any case--you will not end up with a dead straight beam. With some effort, you can get it 'close'...but not 'perfect'. This needs to be discussed with your customer, prior to beginning the job--defining, in writing what is acceptable and what isn't--with tolerances.
Reply:Never peened aluminum but using the wrong alloy aluminum welding rod could crack.
Reply:Originally Posted by BrettHas anyone ever peened an Aluminium weld to relieve stress?I've never heard of it myself , would it achieve anything on Aluminium ?My initial impression is no, but I'm open to input from the more knowledgeable here.We need to weld up 17 beams out of 200x50 box section (8mm wall) they have 160x 10mm bottom flanges welded to the bottom for the full length and some other assorted fittings .They are for some very large external ally louvers .
Reply:Originally Posted by makoman1860Relieve stress? No, the base material is usually too "plastic" durring cooling and it will move rather then create stress.However, it can be used to straighten after welding, but it usually isn't done on corner joints for obvious reasons.  The alloy will determine how the material work hardens.
Reply:Originally Posted by BrettHas anyone ever peened an Aluminium weld to relieve stress?
Reply:The peening closes microscopic cracks that are in almost all aluminum and other metals. It's the same as if you took a chisel with a mushroomed and split head and hammered all the metal back together and eliminated the gaps- you made it stronger. This is why you shot-peen connecting rods. Oh...many shops claim to shot-peen rods and pistons but they are just bead blasting them. To do correct shot-peening, there is a special procedure and special equipment that's necessary.
Reply:Originally Posted by turboblownThe peening closes microscopic cracks that are in almost all aluminum and other metals. It's the same as if you took a chisel with a mushroomed and split head and hammered all the metal back together and eliminated the gaps- you made it stronger. This is why you shot-peen connecting rods. Oh...many shops claim to shot-peen rods and pistons but they are just bead blasting them. To do correct shot-peening, there is a special procedure and special equipment that's necessary.
Reply:I guess I was trying too hard to put in in simple tard terms. Yes- what you said. That was my description of "closing the gaps" and distributing the load.
Reply:Originally Posted by turboblownI guess I was trying too hard to put in in simple tard terms. Yes- what you said. That was my description of "closing the gaps" and distributing the load.