View Full Version : Welding dissimilar aluminum alloys
AR-cobra
11-02-2008, 06:59 PM
Can 5051 and 6061 be welded together without causing problems?
Thanks,
John
Personally I have never built a project with two different grades of aluminum (why would you ) So as far as the welding process I can't see a problem unless it was a really weird situation requiring the strength of the 6061 and the pliability of the latter?
usmcpop
11-20-2008, 11:18 PM
You had best ask your metal supplier, or do a search on "weld 5000 to 6000" or "welding 5000 aluminum to 6000".
What is your application?
Don52
11-21-2008, 08:27 PM
5051 and 5052 are very similar. 5051 has 2.0% Mg and 5052 has 2.5%. We weld 5052 to 6061-T6 all the time. As BC states we use 5052 for formability and we use 6061-T6 for extra strength for struts and mounting brackets. 5356 is the recommended filler rod. Here is a link:
http://www.nalco.co.nz/userDocuments...luminiumTD.pdf
Look at page 5.
BillC
11-21-2008, 08:41 PM
5051 must be pretty uncommon; I had a hard time finding information on it. If the chemistry on matweb is close to accurate then I'd recommend using 5356. If your application involves sustained exposure to temperatures above 150°F (like an engine compartment?) then I'd suggest using 4043.
Regards,
If it is a case of strength and pliability combined I would think the WELD JOINT would be
extremely critical since it would need to tie both WORLDS together....Please don't ask me to do it my LLC is about as much as I can afford now...LOL