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Best welding rod for aluminum to be anodized

Best welding rod for aluminum to be anodized

Best welding rod for aluminum to be anodized

(OP)
Hello,

We have 2 extrusions that must be welded together and then anodized.  Eventually this will be tooled as one extrusion but we are doing some field testing.  I searched for the best welding rod to use so that no smut will form on the weld during anodzing but I have seen two opposite answers.

I have seen 5356 rod and 4043 rod mentioned.  The two previous places I looked had opposite opinions about which one to use and which on to avoid.  Which rod should be used?

Also, there will be a tab that ties the two parts together.  How critical is the alloy for the connector tab?  We typically use 3003 or 5052 for sheet metal parts but if that is a problem, I can spec 6061 for the tab as well.

The extrusions are made from 6063-T5 and will be clear anodized after welding.

Kyle

RE: Best welding rod for aluminum to be anodized

5356 will anodize better than 4043.  The high silicon content in alloys like 4043 and casting grades 380, 390, etc. make for poor anodizing.

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