Cleaning 4130 Cond. N before TIG welding...
Cleaning 4130 Cond. N before TIG welding...
(OP)
What's the commonly accepted method for cleaning the ends of cut tubing (laser/milled) 4130 cond N in process?
For one off's green scrubbies work fine, but not for large quantities. (this is in reference to cleaning the oxide film and oil prior to TIG welding)
Sand blast was mentioned, but there's a concern with Si contamination of the welds.
Thanks
NickE
For one off's green scrubbies work fine, but not for large quantities. (this is in reference to cleaning the oxide film and oil prior to TIG welding)
Sand blast was mentioned, but there's a concern with Si contamination of the welds.
Thanks
NickE





RE: Cleaning 4130 Cond. N before TIG welding...
RE: Cleaning 4130 Cond. N before TIG welding...
remember to re-oil inside of tube when welding is complete.
B.E.
The good engineer does not need to memorize every formula; he just needs to know where he can find them when he needs them. Old professor
RE: Cleaning 4130 Cond. N before TIG welding...
At one time we fabricated various pieces of equipment form small diameter and capillary tubing. We never used any mechanical means to clean the tubing material. I developed an
alkaline electrolytic process that did everything. Another method used was an acid based electropolish.
If the parts were handled prior to welding we used a material called DeContam.
If the tubing was thin walled we would use a vibratory polisher with 6 micron Al2O3.
We did buy a lot of cut to length and cleaned components where the only additional prep needed was a trip through a mild cleaner.
Electrolytic cleaners:
http://www.epi.com/c/cleaners/all-metals
DeContam:
http://decontam.com/
Cut tubing
http://www.vici.com/tube/pre-ss.php
All types
http://www.vitaneedle.com/
RE: Cleaning 4130 Cond. N before TIG welding...
In production I'll need to clean at least 1600 tubing ends and locations each day. I'm looking for a process that is easy to automate, fast, and allows for automated TIG welding.
thanks again
Nick
RE: Cleaning 4130 Cond. N before TIG welding...