Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/30867
FILLER METALS ProStar Aluminum MIG/TIG Wire & Rod ® AWS Aluminum Wire/Rod Classification System ER4043 Electrode or rod Principle alloying element(s) If different from zero, denotes modification to the original alloy Identifying number for specific alloy Designation System for Aluminum Alloys Alloy Principle Series 4XXX 5XXX ProStar Aluminum Welding Wire Alloyn4043 is one of the oldest and most widely used welding and brazing alloys. 4043 can be classified as a general purpose type filler alloy. The silicon additions result in improved fluidity (wetting action) to make the alloy a preferred choice by welders. The alloy is less sensitive to weld cracking and produces brighter, almost smut-free welds. Alloying Element Silicon Magnesium Alloyn5356 is the most widely used aluminum filler alloy and can be classified as a general purpose, non-heat treatable alloy. It is typically chosen because of its relatively high shear strength, mostly due to magnesium, which is the primary alloying element. The 5xxx alloy base material, when welded with 5356, with weld pool chemistry greater than 3% magnesium and service temperatures in excess of 150° F (65° C), is susceptible to stress corrosion cracking (SCC). Due to the magnesium addition, it does produce weld smut (an aluminum/magnesium deposit) along the weld, which can be cosmetically unappealing. The presence of weld smut does not degrade the integrity of the weld. Recommended Selection Guidelines Aluminum Metal Thickness Recommended Shielding Gas Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW/MIG) 24 gauge to 3/8” 18 gauge to 3/16” Argon HeliStar A-25 Argon HeliStar A-25 Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW/TIG) 18 to 12 gauge Argon 18 to 10 gauge 18 to 7 gauge HeliStar A-25 Argon HeliStar A-25 Argon HeliStar A-25 C26 Recommended Wire Type ProStar 4043 ProStar 5356 ProStar 4043 ProStar 5356 ProStar 4043 ProStar 5356 ProStar 4043 ProStar 5356 ProStar 4043 ProStar 5356 Recommended Wire Diameter 0.035–1/16” 0.030–1/16” 1/16–3/32” 1/16–1/8” 1/16–3/16”