in times of desperation to get a welded aluminum structure to pass, what is the better choice? 4

[glulambeam]

It's cards on the table time. An aggressive design schedule on a welded aluminum 6061-T6 structure has forced you into a corner [edit: in terms of getting welds to meet strength requirements]. Do you...

(A) specify 5356 filler?
(B) call out CJP welds on more than just a few places?
(C) ???

 

[drawoh]

glulambeam,

Back to the earlier point, why aluminium? Carbon steel is cheaper and more idiot resistant, and there are more people out there who can weld it reliably. Can you zinc plate and then paint the steel, or just paint it? If there is a safety issue, note aluminium's lack of a fatigue limit. Rust on carbon steel is observable.

--
JHG