How to TIG Weld Aluminum

TIG welding is known as Tungsten Inert Gas welding and is a welding process that involves the use of tungsten electrode. This electrode is used to weld a number of metals and it requires an inert gas, mostly argon, which is needed to prevent the contamination in the air during the welding process. TIG weld requires a constant power supply. This process is used for welding several metals and alloys like aluminum, nickel alloy, copper alloys, etc.

TIG welding method is an expensive way of welding metals. It is used because of a number of reasons. The welding produces a high quality and clean weld, it can weld more number of metals than any other method, there are no sparks produced in this method, there is no need to use any flux as the gas protects the weld puddle from contamination and there are no smokes or fumes produced in this welding method. Apart from the above, this method can be used to weld metals in any of the positions - flat, overhead, vertical or horizontal. These make TIG method a popular method, even though this method is expensive than the others. Now let us look at how to TIG weld aluminum.

Things Required

• Welding helmet
• Welding gloves
• TIG welder
• Argon gas
• Aluminum rod
• Metal bench
• Clamps
• Stainless steel brush
• Heat sink

TIG Welding Process

1. The first thing to do is to clean the aluminum rod. For this you will need to clean it with brake cleaner and distilled water. The stainless steel brush comes in handy here. You will need that brush to shine the part of the rod where you need to weld.
2. Next comes the part where you hold the aluminum rod with the help of the clamps on the heat sink.
3. With the help of a blow torch, preheat the aluminum rod to 275 degrees Fahrenheit so that the weld is not only cleaner but also stronger.
4. Now comes the part where you weld the aluminum. Ensuring that your electrode is away from the metal, is one of the welding basics. There should be at least an inch gap between the two so that the melted aluminum does not stick to the electrode.
5. With quick and clean strokes, weld the metal as soon as the weld pool has formed. Do not heat the metal for a long time or it will wrap.

A Few Points To Remember

There are certain tips that you should keep in mind while TIG welding aluminum.

• The melting point of aluminum is very high. So you will need to pay a lot of attention while heating the aluminum rod for welding, to ensure that it is ready to be welded. So clean the aluminum of all the oxide, to get rid of the above confusion.
• Aluminum is a good conductor of heat. Hence, it can become very hot once the welding process has begun. Ensure that you use a foot current control so that you can control the current when you see that the metal is heated very much.
• As tungsten and aluminum, both are good conductors of heat, ensure that you are well protected. It is necessary to use a welding helmet and welding gloves while TIG welding. It is also a good idea to wear a long-sleeved welding coat as tungsten can cause sunburns.
• Use pure argon gas while TIG welding aluminum.
• Allow the metal to cool down after the welding is complete.

TIG Weld Cast Aluminum

Here are some TIG welding techniques to be followed while trying to TIG weld cast aluminum.

• Use a mix of helium and argon to TIG weld cast aluminum. The reason is helium helps to make the arc stronger than plain argon and this strong arc is needed for heavy aluminum like cast aluminum.
• Clean the rod with the help of thinners and such so that the rod is completely devoid of any contamination.
• Always preheat the rod for smoother and cleaner weld.
• Do not use the torch gas a lot. Use the required amount of gas to shield the welding puddle and not more.

The above TIG welding basics will help you in your quest of how to TIG weld aluminum. This is an easy method of welding but needs to be done with extreme care. If you are a beginner, it is recommended that you take the help of some expert while welding with a TIG weld.