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aluminum mig settings

Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2018 4:11 am
by tweake
i'm looking at trying some aluminum mig welding on a project.
my mig has a pulse aluminum mode. its takes 1mm/0.040 wire but the recommended settings only go up to 2mm/0.080 thick work.
trouble is the work i have is 1/8 thick. 5356 aluminum.

can 0.040 wire be used for thicker work?
or do i need to go up to 0.045 ?
mig is 180 amp.
would helium mix help?

Re: aluminum mig settings

Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2018 5:44 am
by cj737
0.040 wire is perfectly fine for 3.2mm material. Heck even 0.035 works well. I think 180 amps in on the limit for 3.2mm material in MIG. It would be close. Yes, Helium mixture will help. That, and a preheat if practical.