Application recommendations

The tables below provide assistance in selecting the optimum aluminium welding wire for your application. They show the type series for the respective combinations of wrought and/or cast base materials to be welded.

Which of the welding wire from the respective type series can ultimately be used is determined by the specific welding task. Please also note the information below.

The base materials are listed according to their chemical composition without reference to wrought and cast materials.

Optimal weldability

Base material AlCuMn AlCu AlSiCu AlSiMg AlZnMg AlMgSi AlMg5% + the like with Mn AlMg3% + the like with  Mn AlMg<1% AlMn Al
Al - - 4 4 5 4 5 4/5 4 4 4
AlMn - - 4 4 5 4 5 4 4 4 -
AlMg <1%)a - - 4 4 5 4 5 4 4 - -
AlMg 3% + the like with  Mn - - 4 4 5 4 5 5 - - -
AlMg 5%)b  + the like with Mn - - 4 4 5 4 5 - - - -
AlMgSi)c - 4 4 4 5 4 - - - - -
AlZnMg - 4 4 4 5 - - - - - -
AlSiMg)e - 4 4 4 - - - - - - -
AlSiCu)e,f - 4 4 - - - - - - - -
AlCu)e - - - - - - - - - - -
AlCuMn 2 - - - - - - - - - -

 

a) When welding without welding fillers these alloys are vulnerable to the formation of solidification cracks. This can be prevented by using firm clamping devices; otherwise Mg > 3 % should preferably be used as base material.

b) Under certain environmental conditions, such as with temperatures of > 65 °C, alloys with an Mg content of > 3 % can be vulnerable to intercrystalline corrosion and/or stress crack corrosion. This vulnerability intensifies with an increasing Mg content, whereby the degree of mixing has to be considered.

c) These alloys are not recommended for welding without filler metal as they are susceptible to the formation of cold cracks.

e) The Si content of the welding fillers should be chosen in such a way that it constitutes the greatest possible adaptation to that of the cast base material.

f) The weldability of die cast alloys depends decisively on their gas content.

Optimal mechanical properties

Base material AlCuMn AlCu AlSiCu AlSiMg AlZnMg AlMgSi AlMg5% + the like with Mn AlMg3% + the like with Mn AlMg<1% AlMn Al
Al - - 4 4 5 4/5 5 4/5 4/5 4/5 4
AlMn - - 4 4 5 4/5 5 5 4 3/4 -
AlMg <1%)a - - 4 4 5 4/5 5 5 4 - -
AlMg 3% + the like with Mn - - 4 4 5 5 5 5 - - -
AlMg 5%)b + the like with Mn - - 4 4 5 5 5 - - - -
AlMgSi)c - 4 4 4 5 4/5 - - - - -
AlZnMg - 4 4 4 5 - - - - - -
AlSiMg)e - 4 4 4 - - - - - - -
AlSiCu)e,f - 4 4 - - - - - - - -
AlCu)e - - - - - - - - - - -
AlCuMn 2 - - - - - - - - - -

 

a) When welding without welding fillers these alloys are vulnerable to the formation of solidification cracks. This can be prevented by using firm clamping devices; otherwise Mg > 3 % should preferably be used as base material.

b) Under certain environmental conditions, such as with temperatures of > 65 °C, alloys with an Mg content of > 3 % can be vulnerable to intercrystalline corrosion and/or stress crack corrosion. This vulnerability intensifies with an increasing Mg content, whereby the degree of mixing has to be considered.

c) These alloys are not recommended for welding without filler metal as they are susceptible to the formation of cold cracks.

e) The Si content of the welding fillers should be chosen in such a way that it constitutes the greatest possible adaptation to that of the cast base material.

f) The weldability of die cast alloys depends decisively on their gas content.

Optimal corrosion properties

Base material AlCuMn AlCu AlSiCu AlSiMg AlZnMg AlMgSi AlMg5% + the like with Mn AlMg3% + the like with Mn AlMg<1% AlMn Al
Al - - 4 4 5 5 5 5)d 1 1 1
AlMn - - 4 4 5 5 5 5)d/3 4 3 -
AlMg <1%)a - - 4 4 5 5 5 5)d 4 - -
AlMg 3% + the like with Mn - - 4 4 5 5 5 5)d - - -
AlMg 5%)b + the like with Mn - - 4 4 5 5 5 - - - -
AlMgSi)c - 4 4 4 5 5 - - - - -
AlZnMg - 4 4 4 5 - - - - - -
AlSiMg)e - 4 4 4 - - - - - - -
AlSiCu)e,f - 4 4 - - - - - - - -
AlCu)e - 4 - - - - - - - - -
AlCuMn 2 - - - - - - - - - -

 

a) When welding without welding fillers these alloys are vulnerable to the formation of solidification cracks. This can be prevented by using firm clamping devices; otherwise Mg > 3 % should preferably be used as base material.

b) Under certain environmental conditions, such as with temperatures of > 65 °C, alloys with an Mg content of > 3 % can be vulnerable to intercrystalline corrosion and/or stress crack corrosion. This vulnerability intensifies with an increasing Mg content, whereby the degree of mixing has to be considered.

c) These alloys are not recommended for welding without filler metal as they are susceptible to the formation of cold cracks.

d) The resistance against type 5 intercrystalline corrosion and stress crack corrosion is increased if the Mg content does not exceed ~ 3 %. In working conditions that may cause intercrystalline corrosion and/or stress crack corrosion, the Mg content of the weld metal should be similar to that of the base material and not be much higher. Accordingly, this has to be considered for the welding fillers when welding base materials with the corresponding alloys.

e) The Si content of the welding fillers should be chosen in such a way that it constitutes the greatest possible adaptation to that of the cast base material.

f) The weldability of die cast alloys depends decisively on their gas content.