Aluminum Hardfacing TIG wire

[Olivero]

You don't usually hear about aluminum being used in same conversation as hardfacing because it is inherently soft relative to steel and it's not usually a good idea to take an aluminum filler metal that is 'harder' than the base metal and use it for buildup indiscriminately. You need to take in to account whether or not the two are compatible, otherwise the buildup might just crack off.

If in doubt consult the Hobart Aluminum Filler Metal Selection Chart available here:

http://www.hobartbrothers.com/downloads/aluminum_selecti_1lOo.pdf?utm_referrer=http%3A%2F% 2Fwww.hobartbrothers.com%2Fsupport%2Fbrochures-flyers.html

Or better yet download the Hobart Brothers Weld App from iTunes or Google Play. It has the Aluminum Filler Metal Selector built into it.

Anyways, hardness is typically proportional to UTS so the stronger an aluminum filler metal is the harder it is also. Here is a list of common aluminum filler metals in order of UTS:

1100
4043
5554
4943, 2319
4047, 5356
5183
5556

Olivero, how did that filler metal I sent you work out?

Thanks for the info, Maybe I will try some 5556 if that is the hardest.

I still haven't had a chance to use it, they are still holding up from the last repair. I think one of my coworkers used some for a machine when I was not here but he didn't notice a difference in welding it so I guess it was good enough for him to not notice. I told him specifically, "This tube is for welding this, nothing else" but he was compalining about someone wrecking 2 of these machines the other day

[H80N]

You don't usually hear about aluminum being used in same conversation as hardfacing because it is inherently soft relative to steel and it's not usually a good idea to take an aluminum filler metal that is 'harder' than the base metal and use it for buildup indiscriminately. You need to take in to account whether or not the two are compatible, otherwise the buildup might just crack off.

If in doubt consult the Hobart Aluminum Filler Metal Selection Chart available here:

http://www.hobartbrothers.com/downloads/aluminum_selecti_1lOo.pdf?utm_referrer=http%3A%2F% 2Fwww.hobartbrothers.com%2Fsupport%2Fbrochures-flyers.html

Or better yet download the Hobart Brothers Weld App from iTunes or Google Play. It has the Aluminum Filler Metal Selector built into it.

Anyways, hardness is typically proportional to UTS so the stronger an aluminum filler metal is the harder it is also. Here is a list of common aluminum filler metals in order of UTS:

1100
4043
5554
4943, 2319
4047, 5356
5183
5556

Olivero, how did that filler metal I sent you work out?

Thanks Galen...!!!!

Good Thoughts...............

[MAC702]

I'm in the camp of installing a different wear surface, maybe brazing a piece of bronze or steel to the surface.

[Hobart Aluminum]

You don't usually hear about aluminum being used in same conversation as hardfacing because it is inherently soft relative to steel and it's not usually a good idea to take an aluminum filler metal that is 'harder' than the base metal and use it for buildup indiscriminately. You need to take in to account whether or not the two are compatible, otherwise the buildup might just crack off.

If in doubt consult the Hobart Aluminum Filler Metal Selection Chart available here:

http://www.hobartbrothers.com/downloads/aluminum_selecti_1lOo.pdf?utm_referrer=http%3A%2F% 2Fwww.hobartbrothers.com%2Fsupport%2Fbrochures-flyers.html

Or better yet download the Hobart Brothers Weld App from iTunes or Google Play. It has the Aluminum Filler Metal Selector built into it.

Anyways, hardness is typically proportional to UTS so the stronger an aluminum filler metal is the harder it is also. Here is a list of common aluminum filler metals in order of UTS:

1100
4043
5554
4943, 2319
4047, 5356
5183
5556

Olivero, how did that filler metal I sent you work out?

[Olivero]

Not a bad idea Ryan.... Hmm.......

[ryanjones2150]

Rebuild it out of steel. Maybe fab a bolt on wear plate.

[Lostone]

I've seen what contractors can do to earth moving rental equipment. I can only imagine what Joe public does the small rental equipment.

[Olivero]

Similar yeah, this one is used for carpet. The one I was looking to match the alloy with, that's the one were talking about. This culprit in the picture. Can't see what its all about but if you look to the left of the picture, you see the hinge that swings the handle, that's one of the parts getting worn, the latch is opposite to it but is not visible here.

These machines are just becoming a pain in the arse over time, people break these things like its no ones business, its astonishing how they do it.

I pretty much took over building as many things as I can in house because everything else we get, ends up getting wrecked and I end up fixing it anyways...

[H80N]

New to me.....

But I have had parts "Hard Anodized"..... that is a surface treatment......

since the base alloy is a mystery...... heat treat is probably out of the question....

this is the floor polisher housing you had repaired in the past.......????????????????

[Olivero]

Hello Hello,

I am trying to find an Aluminum wire I can use for hardfacing, I am not sure if it even exists but I have some aluminum cleaning equipment that has a feature where you push a pedal type of latch with your foot and it drops the brushes to the floor, then the brushes start as they hit the switch.

When its turned off, you push the handle up and it re engages the pedal type latch back on and keeps the machine straight so you can roll it without the brushes touching the floor. Hopefully I didn't loose everyone.

The problem I run into is the surface on the pedal latch gets worn and the piece it rests on gets worn, this makes it so you can't roll the machine without the brushes falling down. I tried welding them together and have been doing so for a while now and it lasts allright but I would like to do a better job if I can by getting some better, more wear resistant wire.

It sucks when you test it somewhere and you have it plugged in, the brushes drop all of a sudden and the machine starts running away from you, everyone looks at you like your crazy

The aluminum the pieces are made of is cast but its a very forgiving cast, been freely accepting 4043, 4349 and 5356 with no problem.

Anybody have any recommendations for an Aluminum hardfacing wire?

Thanks in advance.