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What is the best aluminum alloy when welding with MIG? I just bought a new DVI Millermatic with spool gun to weld aluminum sheet. I need to form the material (reasonable bend radii) and then weld it together. In another post someone mentioned 5052 is used on boats and is MIG weldable. I am not sure if 6061 is better or if I should use 5052 since I have to bend the stuff.
Reply:6061 comes in the 0, T4, and T6 condition. The T4 and T6 will crack if bent on too tight a radius. The O material is dead soft and to get any strength needs to be heat treated after forming. Corrosion resistance is much less with 6061 than 5052. 5052 is also much better for forming.
Reply:6000 series alloys are typically used for extrusion and 5000 series alloys are typically rolled sheet. You can weld one to the other. I've done it with both 4043 and 5356 .035" wire.6063 will be easier to work/cut/bend than 6061, but they're each very weldable. If strength is a concern, go with 6061. 5052H34 sheet is also weldable and can be bent but if the bend radius is sharp, like with a sheet break, you'll see cracks. If you can find H32 temper sheet, it will be easier to lay out gradual bends.There are no small projects
Reply:This is very helpful! I can build the structure (think bird cage) of 6000 series for strength and then form the skin from 5000 series soft and weld it. Sounds easy on paper!Thanks for your help. |
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