View Full Version : Welding Diamond Plate
bobad
12-05-2007, 07:10 AM
Good morning welding gods!
I have the DARNEDEST time welding diamond plate. No matter what I have tried so far, the puddle scatters and ba lls up. Anyone else notice that? Anyone have good luck welding it, and how? What metal or impurity might be in DP that could cause of it reject the weld?
Many thanks,,,
triptester
12-05-2007, 07:55 AM
I have not had problems welding standard steel diamond plate with wire or stick , but diamond plate is a texture that is rolled on to many different metals or metal alloys. Maybe the pieces you are welding have some special alloys for corrosion or abrasion resistance.
Pangea
12-05-2007, 08:55 PM
Steel or aluminum?
bobad
12-05-2007, 09:48 PM
Maybe the pieces you are welding have some special alloys for corrosion or abrasion resistance.
It reminds me of trying to weld badly pitted steel. It pops a lot, and is very hard to make a nice weld.
bellinoracing
12-09-2007, 01:34 AM
Judging from the problems you described I am guessing that you are trying to weld aluminum diamond plate. I have had some good luck with it. Old and dirty aluminum is always harder to weld than clean new aluminum. Make sure you clean it as good as possible with a stainless steel wire brush. If it still seems dirty it may have oil or something soaked into the aluminum. The easiest way to get rid of oil is heat it with a torch, let it cool and wire brush it. You may have to heat and brush it several times to get it clean. What thickness plate are you trying to weld? I have done 1/16" and 1/8". 1/8" is quite a bit easier. Also some alloys are just harder to weld than others, you may have a hard to weld alloy. Also I am guessing you are using a tig welder? If so double check your welder setting, heat range, gas type and amount, and tungsten size and type.
Hope this helps
Rocky D
12-09-2007, 01:59 AM
Aluminum is porous and retains moisture, blacken it with acetylene, and heat it till the black burns off, and you will be at welding temperature. Also, turn your gas down to 5cfh to 10cfh.
bobad
12-09-2007, 08:16 AM
Steel or aluminum?
Steel. Sorry I forgot to mention that. Never even thought of aluminum DP.
I think my welds end up strong enough, and they're hidden, so cosmetics are not a real issue. However, I have my pride. :D
No matter where the DP comes from, no matter what the thickness, no matter what rod and amps, no matter how well I prepare the weld area, I still have problems.
As I am welding, the beads look pretty good. When I go back and inspect the welds, they have beaded up, separated at the joint, and are generally rough and ugly.
The main issue is popping, I can see and hear lots of popping and sizzling. That's why I asked about DP material containing something nasty, like manganese or ground up fish heads.
Next time someone wants me to weld on DP, I think I'll use standard sheet, and simulate DP by welding 1000's of little diamonds on it. ;)
Rocky D
12-09-2007, 09:46 AM
Steel? I can't imagine stick doing what you describe, but MIG will do it if you have the wrong polarity.
Steel? I can't imagine stick doing what you describe, but MIG will do it if you have the wrong polarity.
As will flux-core, for the same reason....