Welding Tips and Tricks

I'm having some 5mm 5083 sheet cut by water-jet, and then plan to TIG it with 5356.

The cutting guy has warned there may be some staining of the ali. Is this going to be contamination that will hinder the welding process? I don't want to be having to clean it apart from acetone wipe.

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IanC wrote:I'm having some 5mm 5083 sheet cut by water-jet, and then plan to TIG it with 5356.

The cutting guy has warned there may be some staining of the ali. Is this going to be contamination that will hinder the welding process? I don't want to be having to clean it apart from acetone wipe.

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Any aluminum will have corrosion starting that will need to be mechanically cleaned prior to welding if you want a nice clean weld. Either file the edges or wire brush prior to acetone wipe. I think your water jet guy is talking about staining on the surfaces more so than contaminates in the weld area.


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I heard that the water jet can embed the abrasive media in the aluminium causing it to be very difficult to weld. If possible allow enough material to grind or machine an area to remove this contamination.

Best, Mick.

Thanks guys. Sounds to me like the 'cut edge' will be fine, but the surface nearby may be contaminated.

Would be great to hear from someone with real-world experience?

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Sorry mate, I was implying the opposite
The plate may be clean, but the actual cut would be impregnated.

Waterjet or laser, the cut edge has to be mechanically cleaned, such as a flap disc specially for aluminum.

OK thanks for the replies, will report back.

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