CO2 as Shielding Gas

[Glenn B]

Howdy
For aluminum MIG of aluminum the most common is straight argon. No co2. c02 will oxidize the aluminum which is why you use sheilding gas in the first place. For stainless the best are tri- mixes like Helistar A-1025 it has helium, argon, and a tiny bit of co2.

[BCarlucci]

Argon will work for both Alum and SS in Tig applications, as for mig, i believe you have to use Ar/Co2 mix for ss and for alum mig it's straight argon as well.

BC

[fun4now]

argon

will argon work for ss and aluminum? or is there a mix that will work well on bolth.(trying to limit the # of tanks)

[BCarlucci]

Big time no with the alum, only argon or ar/he mix. as for ss, i'm not sure, i haven't tried it, but i think i'll stick with my straight ar for now.

bc

[timw]

The long version or the short version, NO!
The easiest way to remember is no gas with oxygen in it for Aluminum. Use either Argon, Helium or some combination of both.

[Spazzums]

I was just wondering if it were possible to MIG Weld Aluminum and Stainless using CO2 as shielding gas ?