How to weld aluminum

With TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding, the tough surface oxide is typically broken down and dispersed using alternating current (AC). This is because DC- welding (Direct Current, negative polarity), which has good penetration characteristics, doesn’t provide enough heat to remove the oxide layer, and it doesn’t have a cleaning effect on the weld pool like DC+ welding (Direct Current, positive polarity) does. On the other hand, DC+ delivers too much heat to the electrode and causes it to melt, which is not wanted in TIG welding. Unlike aluminum, for example, carbon steels, stainless steels, copper, and titanium can be welded using DC-.

AC TIG welding

During the AC TIG welding process (Figure 1), the arc burns between a tungsten electrode and the workpiece, protected from atmospheric contamination by an inert gas shield (typically, the shielding gas used is commercial-grade pure Argon). As the welding arc ignites and burns, the high temperature of the tungsten electrode ionizes the argon atoms within the argon shielding gas column. The resulting reciprocating, negatively charged electrons, and positively charged ions, together with the AC (alternating positive and negative half-cycle current waveform), break down the aluminum surface oxide, establishing a controlled welding process that has an optimal balance of cleaning effect, heat input, and penetration.

Figure 1. AC TIG welding of the aluminum corner joint. This figure shows the DC- phase of the process that gives the weld its penetration.

Pulsed MIG welding

In MIG (Metal Inert Gas) welding, the wire electrode is melted so DC+ can be utilized. This means that there is enough heat in every typical MIG welding process to remove the aluminum oxide layer. To ensure the best possible welding quality, like in AC TIG welding, the oxide layer and weld pool should be dispersed while welding. In MIG welding, this can be done most efficiently by using a pulsed current (pulsed MIG welding, Figure 2). The variation of welding current helps to keep the process stable and to achieve high-quality, clean welds that are free from porosity. This effect can be taken even further by using stepping movement while welding or by using double pulse welding. In double-pulse welding, the wire feed speed is also pulsed, and this increases the stirring effect in the weld pool.

Figure 2. Pulsed MIG welding detaching a droplet from 1,2 mm AlMg5 filler wire.

The best portable welding machines for Aluminum

A good TIG welding solution for aluminum is the Minarc T 223 ACDC. It’s an entirely new 220 A, 1-phase, multi-voltage 220V-240V / 110V-120V, AC/DC TIG, and MMA welding machine that includes an electrolytic weld cleaning process as standard. Now, in seconds, you can weld and electrolytically clean your perfect welds with one machine. Another portable welding machine that is perfect for aluminum MIG welding is the Master M 205. It stands out from most of the other 1-phase MIG welding machines because it offers a professional-level pulse welding process.