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6061 T-6 Aluminum Tank repair on Nozzles

6061 T-6 Aluminum Tank repair on Nozzles

6061 T-6 Aluminum Tank repair on Nozzles

(OP)
We have an aluminum tank that we recently inspected that has leaks on previous repairs on the nozzles. The repair plan is to remove the existing nozzles and bad welds, and replace them in kind. The tank thickness is .25". What is the best weld process to ask the repair company for? GMAW, GTAW, or SMAW?

RE: 6061 T-6 Aluminum Tank repair on Nozzles

While possible, SMAW of aluminum is not practical and there are few who are qualified to perform an acceptable weld.

If the tank is to be taken out of service and placed in a shop, GTAW or GMAW are both acceptable procedures that are capable of producing positive results.

If the tank is to be repaired in the field, GMAW is highly recommended vs. GTAW, but is dependent on conditions (wind, position, etc.).

RE: 6061 T-6 Aluminum Tank repair on Nozzles

(OP)
This particular tank is going to be welded in the field. From all of the research done thus far, GMAW appears to be the more go-to process. The tank operates at 130F. Does anyone know the best filler metal choice? We are considering 4043 for the cracking resistance. One more question, does heat treatment is a case such as this help return the strength of the aluminum?

RE: 6061 T-6 Aluminum Tank repair on Nozzles

4043 is an acceptable filler for 6061 and is readily available.

RE: 6061 T-6 Aluminum Tank repair on Nozzles

If you are going to weld that tank in the field, you will have a very hard time doing any kind of effective heat treatment to harden the alloy.
Ageing may help a little, but temperature control will be extremely difficult.
B.E.

You are judged not by what you know, but by what you can do.

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