When it comes to welding, technique and materials used matter above all else. And the critical component in a proper welding job is the welding rod. Its bonding characteristics, melting point, and tensile strength determine whether it will get the job done or not.
And if you are new to welding, knowing which option is best for your welding job can become complicated due to the different welding rod options in the market. Fortunately, this guide provides a selection of the best aluminum welding rods for low-temperature welding jobs.
What temperature does aluminum brazing rods melt?
The melting temperature of aluminum brazing rods is 700 degrees F. The rods will begin melting on contact once they reach this temperature.
5 Tips to make you better at aluminum welding
Here are some easy tips to help you weld better aluminum joints;
Practice
As they say, practice makes perfect. The more you weld, the better your welding job becomes. Over time, you will become better at cleaning action, cups, tungsten, and new techniques.
Clean the metal
Aluminum has an oxide layer that may affect the welding process. Ensure you clean the metal and filler rod with denatured alcohol or acetone to remove any impurities, which may affect the welding. Additionally, clean the work surface as you go because the metal shavings may cause burn marks.
Know your metal composition
Different aluminum alloys have other melting points. This also means that heat exposure determines welding joint quality. As such, you should ensure you are conscious of your welding speed. Additionally, aluminum has higher thermal conductivity.
Master your torch angle
You also need to find a welding angle to prevent rod balling due to slow feeding due to the torch angle. The best angle is 90 degrees or as close to vertical as possible. Remember to vary the angle when dealing with applications that require a tilt for complex joints.
Welding equipment
Your gas choice and torch features play an essential role in determining the quality of your weld. Some gas ratios provide a hotter arc that ionizes at a higher temperature which translates to better control. Additionally, a higher quality torch will hold heat better, resulting in better heat transfer.
What temperature does aluminum weld at?
The melting point of aluminum is 1,221 degrees Fahrenheit. However, aluminum also has an oxide layer that melts at approximately 3,700 degrees. This oxide layer helps the metal resist corrosion and abrasion and is much more complex than aluminum. It also acts as an insulator that can create issues during welding.
Heat-treatable aluminum alloys, the melting temperature ranges between 325 F and 400 F. But when welding, a temperature much hotter than 400 F will alter the metal’s mechanical properties.
How do you use a low-temperature aluminum welding rod?
Before you start welding, always remember to preheat the metal at an average temperature of 380 degrees Fahrenheit. You should also use welding gas that is high in butane gas.
How to use:
- Cleaning and polishing the metal surface.
- Preheat the surface of the base material up to the wire temperature of 380 degrees -400 degrees.
- Then use the back and back friction wire to form a weld, only with a metal brush of welding wire to weld on the solder.
- Use propane gas to weld small objects and industrial gas or induction heating device to heat and weld large objects.
- Lastly, use natural slow cooling after welding.
Is aluminum brazing as strong as welding?
If it is properly made, a brazed joint can be just as strong as a welded joint. Additionally, the lower temperature minimizes potential warping and distortion of the metal, making it stronger and studier.
Top 4 Low-Temperature Aluminum Welding Rods
- EEEKit Aluminum Welding Rods
- Elecxlink Aluminum Copper Welding Rods
- Hotop Aluminum Welding Rods
- Ripeng Copper Aluminum Welding Rods
EEEKit Aluminum Welding Rods
These aluminum rods are suitable for welding or alloy brazing. They are made of aluminum that is non-toxic, odorless, and durable. They have a solder core and coating that acts as the salt base, making them suitable for welding aluminum alloys.
You can use the rods for welding and spraying wire and flame metalizing wire. They come with internal powder, which results in solid weldability and corrosion resistance, high thermal conductivity, high electrical conductivity, and excellent bonding performance.
Features
- Type: welding wire
- Material: Aluminum
- Silver color
- Diameter: 0.079 in.
- Length: 19.685 inches.
Pros
- Corrosion resistance
- Good quality
- Non-toxic
- Odorless
- Durable
Cons
- It takes too long to melt
Elecxlink Aluminum Copper Welding Rods
Elecxlink welding rods are made from high-quality copper and aluminum. They are non-toxic, odorless, and durable. They feature internal powder, which is ideal for corrosion resistance, high thermal conductivity, high electrical conductivity, and excellent bonding.
They also eliminate the need for using other flux powders while welding aluminum alloy as the solder core and coating act as the salt base. The rods can be used as a welding filler wire, spraying wire, and metalizing flame. You can also use them for argon arc welding and filler materials for pure aluminum, connection with aluminum bus, and so on. They are also suitable for welding surface alloys such as stainless steel, galvanized cast iron, and copper with high strength.
Features
- Solder core
- Material: copper aluminum
- Silver color
- Diameter: 0.079 in.
- Length: 9.843 in.
Pros
- Odorless
- Durable
- Corrosion-resistant
- High thermal conductivity
Cons
- It only works on aluminum alloys
Hotop Aluminum Welding Rods
The aluminum welding rods measure 0.079mm in diameter and approximately 9.8 ” in length. You can use them argon arc welding and as filler material for pure aluminum. You can also use the various applications.
They feature a powder core that is corrosion resistant. They also have good conductivity, which offers a smooth welding effect. The low melting point temperature range is 380-400 degrees Celsius.
Features
- Solder core
- Convenient to use:
- Material: aluminum.
- Size: 0.08 inches in diameter, 10 inches in length
Pros
- Good conductivity
- Corrosion resistance
- Smooth and good welding effect
Cons
- More suitable for soldering
Ripeng Copper Aluminum Welding Rods
These low-temperature welding cables can be widely applied in electrical, chemical, food, and so on. You can use them for welding aluminum, stainless steel, galvanized steel, cast iron galvanized, copper with high resistance. They come with internal powder, and their melting point is 716.0 – 752.0 ° F.
The copper aluminum welding rods have good forge ability, conductivity, and corrosion resistance. This results in a smooth welding effect, suitable for home and professional maintenance work.
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The rods are approximately 0.079 ” in diameter and 9.8 ” in length. They also come in a pack of 30 rods which will last a long time.
Features
- Material: copper and aluminum.
- Size: 0.08 x 10 inches.
- Melting point: 382.0 – 752.0 ° F
Pros
- Multiple uses
- Corrosion-resistant
- Comfortable to use
Cons
- The rods are too thin
Conclusion:
The best low-temperature welding rods should not produce flux or flames. They should also minimize parent material distortion during welding. They should also be durable and melt at a lower temperature. Lastly, they should work with different gas types.